Attacks on minorities against nation's spirit: Mozena
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| Dan W Mozena |
DHAKA: United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan W Mozena has described the attacks on minority communities in Bangladesh as unacceptable, saying that these attacks are against the nature and spirit of the nation.
He called upon the government to do its best to stop the attacks, protect the minorities and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The Ambassador was speaking at a view-exchange meeting with the leaders of the Hindu community at Dhakeshwari temple in the capital on Thursday. A presentation was made at the meeting detailing attacks on the minorities and their homes and places of worships.
“I want to thank you for this excellent presentation also. Everyday I’ve been seeing news on television about these attacks. Now I am able to understand the totality of this violence better,” Mozena said.
“These attacks on Bangladesh's minority communities are not acceptable. These are against the spirit of a nation. These attacks are against the Bangladesh I know; Bangladesh that is moderate, tolerant and open to minorities,” he said.
“I do not know who is perpetrating these attacks. They must stop. I call upon the government to use all of its abilities to stop these attacks. I call on the government to use all of its capabilities to bring those to justice who perpetrated these attacks and to protect the minority communities,” he added.
“I am deeply saddened by these attacks because these are against the nature of Bangladesh. I said it once, I will say it again, Bangladesh is a moderate country, a tolerant country, a pluralistic country and I am again so deeply saddened to see these traditions under attack,” he added.
The US envoy was told that since February 28 till April 2, four people were killed, 34 injured, 108 temples damaged, 181 homes damaged and 206 business outlets were damaged as a result of the attacks on minorities.
The Hindu leaders said that 15 per cent of the country's population belonged to minorities and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, along with Hefazat-e-Islam wanted to get rid of all the minorities.
Due to these types of attacks, many people have already left the country, they added.
The leaders handed over a leaflet of Hefazat-e-Islam to Mozena that states that as the majority of the people of Bangladesh are Muslim, people belonging to other religions like Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity have no right to live in the country.
He called upon the government to do its best to stop the attacks, protect the minorities and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The Ambassador was speaking at a view-exchange meeting with the leaders of the Hindu community at Dhakeshwari temple in the capital on Thursday. A presentation was made at the meeting detailing attacks on the minorities and their homes and places of worships.
“I want to thank you for this excellent presentation also. Everyday I’ve been seeing news on television about these attacks. Now I am able to understand the totality of this violence better,” Mozena said.
“These attacks on Bangladesh's minority communities are not acceptable. These are against the spirit of a nation. These attacks are against the Bangladesh I know; Bangladesh that is moderate, tolerant and open to minorities,” he said.
“I do not know who is perpetrating these attacks. They must stop. I call upon the government to use all of its abilities to stop these attacks. I call on the government to use all of its capabilities to bring those to justice who perpetrated these attacks and to protect the minority communities,” he added.
“I am deeply saddened by these attacks because these are against the nature of Bangladesh. I said it once, I will say it again, Bangladesh is a moderate country, a tolerant country, a pluralistic country and I am again so deeply saddened to see these traditions under attack,” he added.
The US envoy was told that since February 28 till April 2, four people were killed, 34 injured, 108 temples damaged, 181 homes damaged and 206 business outlets were damaged as a result of the attacks on minorities.
The Hindu leaders said that 15 per cent of the country's population belonged to minorities and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, along with Hefazat-e-Islam wanted to get rid of all the minorities.
Due to these types of attacks, many people have already left the country, they added.
The leaders handed over a leaflet of Hefazat-e-Islam to Mozena that states that as the majority of the people of Bangladesh are Muslim, people belonging to other religions like Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity have no right to live in the country.
Courtesy: The Independent
