B'desh: Ahmadiyya community in fear after mosque ambush

The Ahmadiyya community, who are also known as 'Qadiani', has been living in fear ever since suspected radical groups allegedly attacked a mosque in Bangladesh's Jamalpur last month, leaving more than 20 worshippers injured.

On that note, the Ahmadiyya community in Bangladesh is reportedly marginalised and has come under attack at various times.

Anticipating more 'hate' attacks in the future, many Ahmadiyya families have left Jamalpur; others who are residing in the town, are hiding their religious identities to avoid attention, the Dhaka Tribune reported.

On March 30, a group of people, armed with sharp weapons, launched an alleged attack on an Ahmadiyya mosque after Friday's prayers at Jamalpur's Madarganj Upazila, injuring 20 worshippers in the process.

As per the report, the members of Ahmadiyya community claimed that local Awami League leader Moneer Munshi had instigated the attack. However, this is yet to be ascertained.

A resident named Tayeb Ali was among those who were injured in the mosque ambush. He claimed, though he is not an Ahmadi, he went to the mosque to offer prayers and learn about their faith.

Jamalpur district's Ahmadiyya Jamaat South teacher Asaduzzaman Rajib added that owing to repeated hate attacks on the Ahmadis, people are living in fear and peace is disturbed because of "hardliners such as Khatme Nabuat Bangladesh and Jamaat-e-Islami".

"They have attacked us several times. They are disturbing the peace. We do not have any disputes with others. They (radical groups) are creating the discord," Rajib said, as quoted by the Dhaka Tribune.

Rafiqul Islam Khoka, a member of the Ahmadiyya community who owns a small stationery stop next to his home, said that he is not able to sell products, as people avoid purchasing from his shop for being an Ahmadi.

Speaking about the alleged attack, Sharishabari Ahmadiyya Jamaat President Faridul Islam and several others said that they had gone to offer their prayers at the mosque when the incident happened.

The members of the Ahmadiyya community claimed that the attack happened for no reasons, and said that they did not force anyone to follow their ideology.

On a related note, over 15,000 Ahmadis reside in the country, with 10,000 of them living in Brahmanbaria, 3,500 in Kishoreganj and 3,000 more in Mymensingh.