Islamic scholars against militancy
A group of Islamic scholars will hand over a letter, containing signatures of more than 100,000 imams, against religious extremism to Pope Francis as he meets interfaith leaders at the Ramna Cathedral today.
“This is a gesture showing that we are against Islamic extremism and militancy,” said Mazharul Islam, convener of Religious Harmony Forum and grand khatib of Ambarshah Shahi Jame Mosque in the city's Karwan Bazar.
He said some 350 Islamic religious leaders, led by Bangladesh Jamiyatul Ulama Chairman Farid Uddin Masud, would join the gathering of 5,500 religious leaders from Muslim, Christian, Hindu and Buddhist communities for a dialogue to promote harmony and peace.
Pope Francis' visit to Bangladesh comes amid the fastest growing Rohingya refugee crisis stemming from atrocities by Myanmar security forces against the ethnic minority group.
Struggling to manage some 636,000 Rohingyas, Bangladesh has been globally lauded for its humanitarian stance on sheltering the refugees who crossed the border since late August.
Mazharul said a panel of 11 Islamic scholars prepared the anti-terror edicts in light of the Quran and Hadith and it was submitted to the UN secretary-general and the Organisation of Islamic Conference.
“We want to tell the Pope that we are against religious extremism, killing and attacking people in the name of religion.”
The khatib said they have been working for the last two years to create awareness among the people against extremist and militant activities through holding protest rallies and meetings.
Besides, they were asking the imams of mosques not to use any words in their sermons that can provoke hatred against other religions, he added.
“No religion speaks against humanity, or supports killings and attacks,” said Mazharul.
He said the Pope's visit was a significant event for the Bangladeshis as he promotes peace and harmony among people from different religions, cultures and ethnicities.
He also appreciated that the Pope was raising his voice against the persecution of Rohingyas, and was supporting Bangladesh in this regard.
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