Ahmadiyya namaz centre attacked in Rajbari
As people around the world rally in solidarity with Palestinians to protest Israel’s inhumane attacks on Gaza, an alarming incident occurred in Bangladesh that highlights the misuse of such movements for communal violence.
On April 7, a namaz centre of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Bahadurpur, located in the Pangsha of Rajbari, was attacked by individuals claiming to support the Palestinian cause. While no casualties were reported, the prayer space used by local Ahmadi Muslims was severely vandalised.
The attack took place around 5:00pm on April 7. The namaz centre, a modest structure made of corrugated sheets, was completely destroyed. Attackers removed the sheets from all sides, smashed doors and windows, and demolished essential components of the prayer space, including the area used for calling Azan and the pulpit for sermons, according to a press release of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Bangladesh.
A video circulating online shows a group of protesters chanting slogans against Israeli aggression approaching the roadside prayer centre. Suddenly, some individuals broke away from the procession and began attacking the facility. Despite calls over loudspeakers urging restraint, the attackers continued to damage the walls, windows, and other parts of the centre.
Ironically, the attackers justified their actions as a show of support for Palestine. However, this act of violence stands in stark contrast to the principles of justice and humanity that underpin global solidarity movements for oppressed communities. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, whose members have consistently advocated for peace and supported causes like the Palestinian struggle, found itself targeted under the guise of defending a righteous cause.
The worldwide leadership of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat has consistently called on global powers to intervene and stop the brutal oppression faced by the Palestinian people. Every member of the Jamaat prays for the suffering people of Palestine and supports efforts to alleviate their plight.
The press release added that the first Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Sir Chaudhry Muhammad Zafrullah Khan — who was also the then-President of the International Court of Justice and President of the UN General Assembly — was a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and a powerful advocate for the Palestinian cause on the international stage. As early as 1947, he gave a strong and firm speech at the UN General Assembly in defense of Palestinian rights and warned of the chaos that would follow, which the world has since witnessed and continues to see today.
Currently, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Karim AA Khan, is also a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat. He has issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and leaders of Hamas. Moreover, Humanity First International, a humanitarian organization run by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, continues to work tirelessly to serve the victims in war-torn Gaza.
