ACJU condemns temple destruction in B’desh

The All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama (ACJU) issuing a media communique on the destruction of a place of Buddhist worship in Bangladesh said they are deeply disturbed by the reports of its destruction and call upon the Bangladeshi government to take immediate action.

The communique, “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 Bangladesh government 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 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 was the very epitome of compassion and tolerance. Islamic history is replete with instances embodying such tolerance. “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 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 Bangladesh government 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 practise 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.”