Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05DHAKA1143
2005-03-14 12:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:  

POLICE TURN BACK MARCHERS ON AHMADIYA MOSQUE

Tags:  PHUM PGOV KISL BG 
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UNCLAS DHAKA 001143 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KISL BG
SUBJECT: POLICE TURN BACK MARCHERS ON AHMADIYA MOSQUE


UNCLAS DHAKA 001143

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KISL BG
SUBJECT: POLICE TURN BACK MARCHERS ON AHMADIYA MOSQUE



1. (SBU) Police suppressed and controlled the Khatme Nobuyat
Movement's attempt on March 11 to siege an Ahmadiya mosque in
Bogra following a week of processions throughout Bangladesh
demanding the BDG declare Ahmadiyas as non-Muslims. There
were no arrests or injuries.


2. (SBU) On March 13, Ahmadiya leaders told poloff that 8,000
people -- including many madrassah students bussed or trucked
in from neighboring areas -- surrounded the mosque hoping to
replace the existing "Ahmadiya Mosque" signboard with "A
place of worship by Kadianis in Bogra town" sign. The
demonstrators called on police to go into the mosque and
seize Ahmadiyya publications and books. While the police did
not take any publications, they did put up the sign the
marchers brought to appease the crowd. After a few hours the
police took the sign down.


3. (SBU) The Ahmadiya leaders remarked that police now seem
less assertive in protecting Ahmadiyas and their mosques.
The police officer in charge in Bogra reportedly apologized
and expressed helplessness in fully protecting Ahmadiyas to
explain why he caved into the pressure of hanging up the
sign.


4. (SBU) When asked why Bogra was targeted for this attempted
seige, Ahmadiya leaders voiced uncertainity. One leader
speculated, however, that since the mosque is well situated
in town, interest in its valuable real estate could be a
reason. They characterized the Ahmadiya community in Bogra as
small, with only about 150 members.


5. (SBU) Comment: The good news is that the police have again
stopped extremists from seizing an Ahmadiya mosque. However,
Ahmadiya leaders continue to assert that anti-Ahmadiya
activists enjoy BDG backing. They also reject Law Minister
Ahmed's recent characterization of anti-Ahmadiya attacks as
sporadic and not representative of prevailing Bangladeshi
tolerance. We will continue to press the BDG to protect the
rights and property of Ahmadiyas and all other Bangladeshis.
THOMAS