A human rights organization strongly denounced a recent violent attack on devotees and a shrine in Bangladesh, criticizing authorities for failing to prevent such violence. The Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expressed concern over the assault on devotees at the Hazrat Shah Ali Baghdadi shrine in Dhaka, describing it as a severe violation of religious freedom and cultural heritage. Eyewitnesses reported that armed individuals associated with Bangladesh’s radical Islamist party attacked innocent devotees at the shrine, causing injuries and chaos.
The rights body highlighted the ongoing wave of violence targeting shrines and Sufi sites in Bangladesh, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice. Followers of the shrine noted that this attack is part of a systematic campaign of violence and vandalism that has affected numerous religious sites since August 5, 2024. Shahanur Islam, the JMBF Founder-President, expressed disappointment over the lack of prosecution for the perpetrators, stressing the importance of upholding religious pluralism and communal harmony in Bangladesh.
Concerned about the prevailing climate of impunity, the rights organization called for a thorough investigation into the attack on the Shah Ali Baghdadi shrine and demanded the apprehension and prosecution of those responsible. JMBF urged the Bangladeshi government to safeguard all religious institutions and devotees, taking decisive measures to combat religious extremism and politically motivated violence.
