Open Letter to the International Community
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Date: September 9, 2024
Open Letter to the International Community
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Assalamu Alaikum. I extend my greetings and peace to you all.
I am reaching out to all peace-loving individuals, organizations, and institutions worldwide to bring to your
attention the dire situation unfolding in Bangladesh. Following the fall of the Awami League government due to a violent uprising, an interim government has assumed power. The country remains in turmoil, with widespread attacks on individuals, vandalism of property, and arson becoming routine. Many police stations are still not operational.
Amid this chaos, Hezbut Tawheed, a non-political religious reformist movement, is under severe threat. Since our inception, we have adhered strictly to the law and committed no crimes. We stand against extremism, communalism, religious fanaticism, and the misuse of religion for political gain. Our efforts are purely for the public interest and the welfare of humanity, driven by our faith and principles, without any political or financial motives.
We believe in the unity of humanity as descendants of Adam and Eve (peace be upon them). Islam promotes peace and does not condone violence based on race, religion, or ethnicity. Unfortunately, extremists have repeatedly attacked us, looting, vandalizing, and burning our property. Five of our members have been killed, and my own home has been targeted four times, with attacks occurring in 2000, 2003, 2009, and 2016. In 2016, while we were constructing a mosque, these extremists falsely labelled it as a church and incited violence. They slaughtered two of our members, mutilated their bodies, and burned homes, all under false allegations and rumors.
Now, with the interim government in place, these extremists are again spreading misinformation and threatening attacks on social media. They have previously attacked the residence of Hezbut Tawheed’s founder, Mohammad Bayazeed Khan Panni, and are planning further attacks on our headquarters in Uttara. We have alerted the Bangladeshi authorities about these threats. However, we are deeply concerned about the ongoing violence against various groups and minorities.
Since the night of September 6th, thousands of threats have been circulated on social media, urging extremists to gather at Chashirhat Natun Bazaar which is just about 50 meters from our residence . Their intention was to create a mob that would loot and vandalise. Although the gathering was relocated due to intervention by the administration and local leaders, the threat of an attack on my house persists. We have informed the local administration and the Ministry of Home Affairs about all incidents. We now turn to the international community for support, as we face extreme uncertainty and insecurity.
Hezbut Tawheed remains a law-abiding organization that believes in the right of all individuals to live peacefully, regardless of their religion or race. The right to freedom of expression is enshrined in international human rights charters and the Constitution of Bangladesh. We urge the international community and all peace-loving individuals to take this matter seriously and act promptly to prevent a potential massacre.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent issue.
Sincerely,
Hossain Mohammad Salim
Imam, Hezbut Tawheed
Phone: +8801711005025, +8801839461972.
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