Multi-Faith Statement Condemning Anti-Hindu Violence in Bangladesh
Bangladeshi activists join in a torch procession demanding justice for the violence against Hindu communities during Durga Puja festival in Dhaka, Bangladesh, October 18, 2021. REUTERS/Mohammad Ponir Hossain. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/hundreds-protest-bangladesh-over-religious-violence-2021-10-18/
As diverse multi-faith organizations, we condemn the recent attacks on Bangladesh's Hindu minority community during and after the Hindu festival of Durga Puja.
In recent days, Bangladeshi Hindus, who comprise around 10 percent of the country’s population, have faced horrific violence. This violence broke out on October 15, after a photo went viral on social media showing a copy of the Qur'an placed at the knee of a Hindu deity's statue. In reaction, Muslim mobs across the country have attacked Hindu homes, shops, and temples. The Guardian reported that over 80 shrines set up for the festival of Durga Puja were attacked. In Rangpur district, a mob burned over 20 Hindu homes. According to Amnesty International, seven people have been killed and hundreds have been injured.
We are committed to speaking up for the rights of all persecuted minorities. We see these attacks as part of a disturbing trend of rising violence against South Asia's many religious minorities and oppressed-caste communities. In India, we have seen rising attacks against Muslims, Dalits, Christians, and Sikhs; in Pakistan, against Hindus, Christians, Shi'a and Ahmadi Muslims; and in Sri Lanka, against Muslims, Christians, and Tamil Hindus. All majoritarian violence in South Asia, and around the world, must be vigorously condemned.
We stand with Bangladesh's religious minorities: Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, Shi'a Muslims, Ahmadi Muslims, Baha'is, atheists, and others, many of whom belong to oppressed-caste communities as well.
We join international organizations such as Amnesty International and the United Nations in condemning this violence. We are relieved that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has promised to take action against the perpetrators of this violence. We call on Bangladesh's government to ensure justice to all the families who have faced devastating losses at the time of their most important festival.
More information:
Al Jazeera (Oct. 19): Hundreds protest in Bangladesh over deadly religious violence
DW (Oct. 19): Bangladesh: Hindus targeted by violence demand better legal protection
Reuters (Oct 19): Bangladesh's ruling party rallies for Hindus after deadly clashes
Scroll (Oct 19): Bangladesh violence: UN, Amnesty International condemn attacks on Hindus
Amnesty International (October 18): Bangladesh: Wave of anti-Hindu attacks must be fully investigated by authorities
Guardian (October 16): Seven dead after violence erupts during Hindu festival in Bangladesh
SIGNATORIES:
Organizations:
American Bangali Hindu Foundation, USA
American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin, USA
American Muslim Institution, Washington, D.C.
Association of Indian Muslims of America, USA
Beloved Community Interfaith Network of Prince George's County, USA
Center for Pluralism, USA
Chínelos de Morelos en Nueva York, USA
Church of Scientology National Affairs Office, USA
Crnogorci Danilovgrad, Montenegro
Global Compassion, Santchou, Cameroon
GreenFaith, USA
Hindus for Human Rights - ANZ
Hindus for Human Rights - UK
Hindus for Human Rights - USA
Indian American Muslim Council, USA
Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County, USA
Interfaithshaadi, USA
Islamic Networks Group (ING)
Kaur Republic, USA
Micah Institute, USA
Museum of World Religions, Taiwan
Muslims for Progressive Values, USA
New York Conference, United Church of Christ, USA
New York State Council of Churches, USA
Our World Too, United Kingdom
Partners Against The Hate (P.A.T.H.) Coordinator, USA
Poetic Justice Foundation, Canada
Red Baraat, USA
Revealing Light Ministries, USA
Rumi Forum, USA
Suneko, Ethiopia
The Humanism Project, Australia
United Church of Christ, USA
United Madrassi Association Inc., USA
Urdushahkar.com
Women for Afghan Women, USA
Women's Initiative in Spirituality and Equality, USA
Individuals:
(Institutional affiliation is provided for identification purposes only and does not constitute institutional endorsement.)
Abhayjeet Singh Sachal, Executive Director, Break The Divide Foundation, Canada
Alek Barovic, Crnogorci Danilovgrad, Montenegro
Ambika Venkatasubbu, India
Aminta Kilawan-Narine, Executive Director, South Queens Women's March; Co-Founder, Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, USA
Anantanand Rambachan, Professor of Religion, Saint Olaf College, USA
Bindu Desai, USA
Chloe Breyer, Executive Director, The Interfaith Center of New York, USA
Christine Grace B. Fernandez, Community Development Specialist, Sumifru Philippines Corporation
Deepak Joshi, Activist, Australia
Devleena Ghosh, Sydney, Australia
Emina Frljak, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Eric Freeman, Chaplain, New York State Chaplain Task Force, USA
Erin Adarve, Board Member, Anytown Las Vegas, USA
Faraz Hussain, USA
Fletcher Harper, Executive Director, GreenFaith, USA
Gautham Reddy, Board Member, Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, USA
Helen Lundström Erwin, Executive Board Member, Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, USA
Iiris Niemelä, Tampere Peace Research Institute, Finland
Jayashri, Canada
Kaleem Kawaja, Executive Director, Association of Indian Muslims of America, USA
Lina Salim, Singapore
Maha Elgenaidi, Founder, Islamic Networks Group (ING), USA
Maria D Habito, International Program Director, Museum of World Religions, Taiwan - Dallas Office
Markéta Byrtusová, Czechia
Melva Victorino, Lay Leader and Chair of UCC NY Conference Global Ministries, United Church of Christ, USA
Mike Ghouse, President, Center for Pluralism, USA
Naheed Samadi Bahram, US Country Director, Women for Afghan Women
Navjot Pal Kaur, Blogger at Kaur Republic, USA
Peter Cook, Executive Director, New York State Council of Churches, USA
Pooja Prazid, USA
Pranab Chakraborty, American Bangali Hindu Foundation
Rabbi Alissa Wise, USA
Rabbi Dr. Barat Ellman, CAMMEERR (Children of Abraham, Martin, Malcolm, Emma, Ella, Rosa, and Rose), USA
Rev. Dr. Scott Stearman, U.N. Representative, Baptist World Alliance / Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, USA
Rev. Joel A. Gibson, Executive Director, Micah Institute, USA
Rev. Mark, Interfaith Institute of Long Island, USA
Rev. Will McGarvey, Executive Director, Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County, USA
Rodge Lelis, Mental Health Practitioner, Association of Psychologists and Helping Practitioners, Philippines
Sabiha Mohyuddin, Graduate Student, UC Santa Barbara, USA
Sabrina Sohail, Executive Director, The Peace Project, USA
Saeed Patel, President, American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin, USA
Sami Uddin, Indian American Muslim Council, USA
Samir Durvasula, Board Member, Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, USA
Samson Haileyesus, Executive Director, O-YES Global Foundation, Ethiopia
Shahana Hanif, Democratic Nominee, New York City Council District 39, USA
Shashank Rao, Member, Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, USA
Sibu Szymanowska, USA
Sunita Viswanath, Executive Director, Hindus for Human Rights, USA
Sunny Jain, Red Baraat, USA
Swami Vedanand Saraswati, Arya Samaj South Africa
Syed M Shahed, urdushahkar.com, USA
Tahil Sharma, Board Member, Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, USA
Uma Shankari, India
Valson Thampu, Retired Professor, India
Vijay Parameshwaran, Facilitator, Beloved Community Interfaith Network of Prince George's County, USA
Zafar Siddiqui, Board Member, Islamic Resource Group, USA
Zainab Chamoun, Ambassador, Adyan Foundation, Lebanon
