We are deeply disturbed and outraged by reports of the destruction of a place of Buddhist worship in Bangladesh. We are saddened that this despicable act is said to have been committed by a group of misguided Muslims. We unreservedly condemn this reprehensible act and call upon the Government of Bangladesh to take immediate action in this regard.
Such acts of religious bigotry and intolerance are completely prohibited by the tenets of Islam which is a peaceful and viable way of life. The Holy Quran expressly states that there is no compulsion in religion and exhorts all Muslims to engage with persons of other faiths with reason and kindness. The Holy Prophet of Islam (on whom be peace) was the very epitome of compassion and tolerance. Islamic history is replete with instances embodying such tolerance. If one may give a random pick – the Holy Prophet was persecuted and assaulted when he preached his message in the city of Taif.
The followers pleaded with him to curse the persecutors. The Holy Prophet had no hesitation in declining to do so declaring that he had been sent only as a mercy to mankind by Almighty Allah. Caliph Omar took over Jerusalem (638 CE) without a drop of blood being shed. The Caliph was invited by Archbishop Sophronius of Jerusalem to pray in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher which is also known as the Church of the Resurrection, one of the holiest Christian sites in the world. In a remarkable gesture, the Caliph declined to pray in the Church stating that, if he does so, it would be regarded by the Muslims as a mosque. Instead, he prayed a few yards outside the church confirming peaceful co-existence between Islam and other religions and the freedom of worship for non-Muslim in an Islamic State. A mosque stands on the site where Caliph Omar prayed.
Hence, acts of religious intolerance have no place in Islam. Unfortunately we Muslims have in recent times become the target of vituperative attacks and misrepresentations of our faith. For instance, we recently witnessed the release in the West of a film which is a diabolical caricature of the Holy Prophet. Hence, we share the sense of hurt felt by our Buddhist brothers and sisters on account of this desecration and destruction of a temple in Bangladesh. We call upon the Government of Bangladesh to fully investigate this incident and bring the culprits to book. We also demand that the Bangladeshi Government should take all measures to protect the property, and lives and places of worship of Buddhists and persons of all other faiths in that country and ensure the freedom to freely practice the religion of one’s choice.
We expect the Bangladeshis to maintain religious tolerance similar to the way how we practise with our Buddhist brothers in Sri Lanka.
Ash-Shaikh M.M.A. Mubarak
General Secretary - ACJU