Paris, May 19: A prominent international human rights organization has strongly condemned the recent attacks on worshippers and the vandalism at a shrine in Bangladesh. The organization expresses concern that the failure to prevent such incidents and to punish the perpetrators will embolden extremist groups.
Justice Makers Bangladesh (JMBF), based in France, stated that the attack on worshippers at the Hazrat Shah Ali Baghdadi shrine in Dhaka, along with a violent assault on participants of a peaceful weekly religious gathering on May 14, represents a severe blow to religious freedom, cultural heritage, and the country’s centuries-old Sufi traditions.
According to eyewitness accounts, armed attackers linked to the radical Islamic party Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Shibir entered the shrine premises with sticks and launched a coordinated assault on innocent worshippers, causing chaos and injuring many.
The organization also noted that despite police presence outside the shrine, law enforcement officials reportedly failed to protect the citizens.
JMBF quoted an injured individual saying, “Some people came with sticks… they created complete chaos. People started running in all directions. I was trying to exit through the main gate when they struck me on the head.”
The organization highlighted that this attack is part of a series of assaults and vandalism targeting shrines and Sufi sites in Bangladesh since August 5, 2024.
Shahnur Islam, the founder and president of JMBF, emphasized that this incident is not isolated but rather part of a disturbing pattern of organized violence aimed at religious minorities and Sufi sites. Reports indicate that over 100 shrines have been attacked during this period.
The organization expressed concern that no charges have been proven against any of the individuals involved in these incidents, indicating a lack of accountability.
JMBF has urged the Bangladesh government to conduct an immediate, fair, and transparent investigation into the attack on the Shah Ali Baghdadi shrine and to identify, arrest, and punish all those responsible.
The organization also called for the protection of all shrines, religious institutions, and worshippers across the country, demanding stringent measures against rising religious extremism and political violence.
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