Paris, France; January 12, 2024 – The France-based human rights organization, JusticiteMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), strongly condemns and protests the recent attacks on the Hazrat Shah Sufi Syed Kalu Shah (RA) Shrine in Mymensingh on January 8, 2025, the Al Chishti Shrine in Natore on the night of December 30, 2024, and the Doja Pir Shrine in Sherpur on November 26 and 28, 2024, by radical Islamic fundamentalist groups.
JMBF believes that this wave of extremist violence targeting cultural and spiritual heritage sites in Bangladesh represents an alarming escalation of intolerance, sectarian violence, and fundamentalist aggression against Bangladesh’s centuries-old traditions of Sufism and spiritual practices. These attacks are clear violations of human rights and religious freedom.
Facts in Brief (According to Reports Published in Various News Media in Bangladesh):
i) Radical Islamic Fundamentalist Group Attacks 200-Year-Old Shrine in Mymensingh During Qawwali Event
On the night of Wednesday, January 8, 2025, a 200-year-old shrine in Mymensingh city was attacked during a Qawwali event, and parts of the shrine were vandalized by miscreants. These incidents occurred at different times during the annual Urs at Hazrat Shah Sufi Syed Kalu Shah (RA) Shrine in the Thanaghat area of the city.
According to police and eyewitnesses, the shrine is located opposite the Kotwali Model Police Station in Mymensingh. As part of the 179th annual Urs, devotees organized a Qawwali performance on the banks of the Brahmaputra River. The event began at 11 PM, but around 11:30 PM, a group of attackers stormed the venue. The artists were quickly evacuated, and the stage and chairs were destroyed before the miscreants left.
Later, around 3 AM, the shrine itself was attacked and partially demolished. Several concrete structures of the shrine and items inside were smashed and destroyed.
ii) Radical Fundamentalist Group Vandalizes Baul Festival Pavilion at Al Chishti Shrine in Natore
On the night of Monday, December 30, 2024, miscreants vandalized the pavilion set up for a Baul festival at Al Chishti Shrine in Lochangarh village, Tebaria Union, Natore Sadar Upazila. The incident occurred sometime during the night, and authorities have since canceled the event, which was scheduled to take place on the evening of Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
According to the shrine committee, the Baul music festival is an annual event, and all preparations, including the construction of the pavilion, had been completed. However, vandals destroyed the pavilion, forcing the cancellation of the event.
iii) Radical Islamic Fundamentalist Groups Attack, Vandalize, and Set Fire to Doja Pir Shrine in Sherpur
On Thursday afternoon, November 28, 2024, a violent attack, vandalism, arson, and widespread looting took place at Khaja Badruddoza Haidar, also known as Doja Pir's Shrine (Murshidpur Pir's Darbar), in Sherpur, following the death of an injured person from an earlier clash.
The shrine, located in the Lachhmanpur area of Sadar Upazila, was attacked. However, there were no casualties, as the shrine’s caretakers and followers had fled before the attack.
Earlier, on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at dawn, an attack and arson occurred at Murshidpur Pir’s Shrine. When the attackers faced resistance, 13 people were injured in a violent clash. Among them, Hafiz Uddin (40), a carpenter, succumbed to his injuries at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on Wednesday, November 27, 2024.
Robert Simon, prominent French human rights activist and Chief Adviser of JMBF, stated, "These heinous acts of vandalism, arson, and violence targeting places of worship and cultural heritage not only infringe on individuals' rights to practice their faith and traditions but also undermine the very fabric of Bangladesh’s pluralistic society. This must be stopped immediately."
Advocate Shahanur Islam, Bangladeshi human rights lawyer and Founder President of JMBF, stated,"The systematic targeting of Sufi shrines and Baul gatherings signals an organized attempt by radical Islamist fundamentalist groups to suppress Bangladesh’s pluralistic cultural identity. The government should take immediate and effective measures to stop these violent acts, as well as ensure exemplary punishment for the perpetrators after a prompt and impartial investigation."
Demands for Immediate Action
JMBF calls upon the Government of Bangladesh and the international community to take decisive action against these heinous crimes. We demand:
✅ Immediate Arrests and Prosecution: Law enforcement must apprehend and prosecute all perpetrators under the Anti-Terrorism Act of Bangladesh and relevant penal codes.
✅ Protection of Sufi and Baul Shrines: The government must ensure enhanced security measures at shrines and cultural sites vulnerable to extremist violence.
✅ Independent Investigation: A transparent and impartial investigation, preferably under the oversight of human rights organizations and international observers, must be conducted into these attacks.
✅ Strict Action Against Radical Groups: The government must take stringent measures to dismantle networks that incite and perpetrate religious extremism.
✅ UN and Global Intervention: We urge the United Nations, UNESCO, and international human rights organizations to pressure the Bangladeshi government to uphold its commitments to religious and cultural protection.
JusticiteMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) stands in unwavering solidarity with the victims of these atrocities and reaffirms its commitment to advocating for justice, accountability, and the protection of Bangladesh’s rich cultural and religious traditions.
We urge all democratic forces, civil society organizations, and international human rights bodies to join hands in condemning these attacks and ensuring that Bangladesh remains a land of peace, tolerance, and cultural coexistence.
Thank you.
Mosa. Jannatul Ferdaus
Chief Coordinator & Member of the Executive Committee
JusticiteMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
107 Rue Gallieni, 93000 Bobigny, France
Email: jannatul.ferdaus@jmbf.org
Website: www.jmbf.org
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JMBF is an independent non-profit, nonpartisan human rights organization registered in France with registration number W931027714 under the association law of 1901, dedicated to defending human rights, fighting for justice, and empowering communities in Bangladesh and beyond.
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