Author: Staff Correspondent
Publication: The Daily Star
Date: January 13, 2004
URL: http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/01/13/d4011301044p.htm
US congressman tells meeting at
Dhakeswari Temple
US Congressman Joseph Crowley yesterday
warned that Bangladesh's image abroad might be tarnished due to recent
incidents of religious intolerance in the country.
"The image of Bangladesh as a moderate
Muslim country is very important, but it is increasingly coming under threat
because intolerance has taken hold in the country," he told The Daily Star.
During a meeting with the congressman
at Dhakeswari National Temple last night, minority leaders informed him
that the country's minorities are persecuted, oppressed and marginalised
in society.
Asked if he had conveyed his thoughts
on the state of minorities in discussions with the government, the congressman
answered, "I have brought up specific occurrences while speaking with all
levels of government up to the prime minister."
He also told the minority leaders
at the meeting that he had met with members of the Hindu-Bouddha-Christian
Oikya Parishad and those of Ahmadiyya community in New York, and added
that the US will keep a watchful eye on the developments concerning the
country's minorities.
He said his visit to the 800-year
old Hindu temple was symbolic of religious tolerance. "I am here to demonstrate
that tolerance is the most important thing."
He also noted that an overwhelming
number of Muslims in Bangladesh are "loving and peaceful" who want to live
in peace with their neighbours of other religions.
He said the US wants to promote
the pluralistic and moderate side of Bangladeshi society, but added that
the existing friendly relations between the two countries must also include
the element of honesty.
He said just as recent US actions
in the international arena has received criticisms from Bangla-desh, likewise
the US also wants to take an honest and critical approach to the events
here.
Appreciating the history of Dhakeswari
Temple, Crowley stressed restoration of some of its run-down structures.
Kajol Debnath conducted the meeting
which was also addressed by Nim Bhoumik, general secretary of Hindu-Bouddha-Christian
Oikya Parishad, CR Dutta (Bir Uttam) and Swapan Saha, president of Mohanagari
Sarbojonin Puja Udjapan Committee.
The Parishad leaders informed Crowley
that their organisation is not communal, but democratic. They also expressed
solidarity with the US-led war on terror and hoped the US will assist the
minorities in Bangladesh to achieve equal rights.
Particularly, they asked the US
assistance in repealing the eighth amendment to the constitution that makes
Islam the state religion, and overcoming conditions that, they said, forced
the minorities to live like "second class citizens."
