Source: The Daily Star
Inam Ahmed and Julfikar Ali Manik, from Ramu, Cox’s Bazar
The Buddha statues made of gold are lost forever. The intrinsic designs of Khadi wood are lost in the inferno. The Tripitak is lost too. But for Shreemad Satyapriya Mohathero, who had just turned 83, the loss and pain are even greater. He has lost all faith in his knowledge and reading of humanity.
“Even in 1971, I did not see this grotesque brutality on us,” Mohathero says. Mohathero is the second highest priest of the Buddhist community in Bangladesh.
“Muslim men and women had taken refuge in my monastery in 1971 to escape the wrath of the Pakistani army,” the feeble man says. “I have saved so many Muslim souls from the brutal persecution of the Pakistanis. Today I feel defeated.”
The Mohathero slowly walked into the Sima monastery yesterday afternoon, supported by his disciples. He went from one pagoda to another, and looked at the defaced, damaged statues of Lord Buddha and the nobles in a state of stupor.
He was sweating. He was shaking in pain and exasperation. And he spoke in his gentle, quaint voice.
The Bangalees who had taken refuge in his monastery invented a trick to evade the Pakistan army.
Categories: Asia, Bangladesh, Buddhism, Interfaith tolerance, Religion
This is the time for each and every moderate Muslim to openly condemn Mullahism and once for all distance oneself from their extreme behavior and ideology.
It is also time for every Pakistani and Bangladeshi to bend over backwards and apologize to each and every Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Ahmadi Muslim that they come across, for all the atrocities that they have become an indirect party to, by their condoning by silence, over the years.
Time to finally wake up!
and Shiah …
The so called “secular” government of Bangladesh has yet again failed to protect the minority. Finger pointing has already started. Some officials are preparing the Rohingya card, while others blaming the BNP opposition extremists. The local Police chief has been suspended for his inaction to prevent the six hour long mayhem which some reports suggested as being premeditated. This ethnic cleansing and public indifference to it, is shocking. As a Muslim Nation, Bangladesh is certainly on the path to alarming extremism.
Assalam-o-alaikum dear Sazzad sb. and Rabbi sb.!
Just few months ago, this petition was created to urge minority rights for Hindus in Bangladesh. Friends(Ahmadis) who live in Bangladesh have signed it too. Would you be able to sign it and forward it to others just to do our bit? I strongly believe that there are more muslims in muslim ummah than less than 65 who support minority rights for minorities in muslim countries.
http://www.change.org/petitions/a-muslim-condemns-persecution-of-hindus-in-bangladesh
Thanks in anticipation.
Ma’salama,
Azim
Dear Mr Azim.
Thank you for sending the link to the online petition. My personal view is that these petitions not necessarily generate the right attention and focus. A more effective way to bring the government into a dialogue would need to involve people in a direct face to face interaction and communication. Some aspects of the Civil Society in Bangladesh is already doing that, and it may benefit to evaluate their stance and work with them.
Regards