Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dacca (Fides Service) - The government of Bangladesh has recognised the danger of Islamic radicalism and the serious threat of suicide bombers “most of whom are trained at Islamic schools”. After a series of attacks in Bangladesh since August this year the government made a public statement with regard to the danger of Islamic radicalism “a threat to the nation” said home minister Lutfuzzaman Babar. For a long time the government minimised the impact of Muslim extremists on the whole.
These government statements were made during a public anti-terrorism demonstration, after two bomb explosions yesterday in Netrokana north of Dhaka in which 8 people were killed and 45 injured. Police suspect a radical Muslim organisation Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen of being responsible for the attacks. In public addresses after Friday prayers numerous Muslim religious leaders condemned the attacks as “contrary to Islam”. There have been four suicide attacks in Bangladesh in two weeks. “Islam prohibits suicide attacks. Suicide bombers are enemies of Islam and we must unite to overcome the forces of evil” said Maolana Obaidul Haq, Mufti at Baitul Mukarram mosque one of the country’s 300,000 mosques.
The local Church has asked clergy, religious and lay Catholics to be prudent in daily activities. The Bishops warn that Christians could also be targeted by the anti-west campaign launched by Islamic extremists. In September Christian leaders of Bangladesh sent an open letter to prime minister Khaleda Zia, calling on the government to do more to guarantee national security and protection.
Bangladesh has a population of 140 million 85% Muslim, Christians are less than 1 percent including 280,000 Catholics. The country is one of the poorest in the world and this could make it a seedbed for Islamic radicalism. (Agenzia Fides 10/12/2005 righe 27 parole 271)
