POLICE FOIL LATEST ANTI-AHMADIYA PROTEST

UNCLAS DHAKA 006192 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT. FOR DRL/IRF ATTN: JMORALES E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL BG SUBJECT: POLICE FOIL LATEST ANTI-AHMADIYA PROTEST ¶1. On October 6, Police have thwarted another attempt by the International Khatme Nabuwat Movement Bangladesh (IKNMB),an anti-Ahmadiya militant organization, to seize an Ahmadiya mosque in the Purba Nakhampara area in Dhaka approximately five kilometers from the chancery. IKNMB supporters began gathering near the mosque on October 4, protesting the GOB's unwillingness to declare the Ahmadiyas "non-Muslim" and threatening to seize the mosque on October 6. ¶2. After prayers, at noon on Friday, IKNMB supporters, some wielding sticks, began marching on the mosque. Police blocked road access, preventing the demonstrators from getting near the Ahmadiya facilities. The protesters responded by throwing rocks and fighting with police, but were eventually turned back. Eight protesters and two police officers were reported injured in the clashes. ¶3. Later that afternoon, IKNMB protesters delivered a sign to the local police station which said, "This is the place of worship of Kadiyanis (Ahmadiyas),Muslims should not mistake it for a mosque." Police told them that they would not post the sign on the Ahmadiya mosque, and eventually the protesters left. Ahmadiya representatives informed us that they were satisfied that the police foiled the attack on their mosque, and expressed appreciation for continuing USG interest. ¶4. Comment: Fired up by an Islamist political leader upset over BNP's refusal to give him a cabinet seat, anti-Ahmadiya zealots in December 2003 kicked off in bloody fashion their current campaign against Ahmadiyas by targeting this same mosque in Purba Nakhampara. In January 2004, the GOB announced a ban on Ahmadiya publications, and in April demonstrators, under police supervision, briefly occupied the mosque and carted off several "banned" books. Police refusal this time to allow the zealots near the mosque is consistent with the GOB's more or less consistent efforts since September 2004 to protect Ahmadiyas and their property. PASI