Candlelight vigil held for minorities

Eminent citizens take part in a candlelight vigil at the capital's Central Shaheed Minar yesterday to say no to violence against minorities. Different social and rights organisations organised the programme.Photo: STAR

People from different walks of life and faiths participated in a candlelight vigil at the Central Shaheed Minar in the capital yesterday to show their solidarity with the Buddhist community.
As Buddhists all over the country celebrated their Prabarana Purnima festivities with a heavy heart bearing Ramu scars, students, prominent civil society members and common people joined hands to seek their apology for the recent attacks on minorities.
“We say that we are a country of communal harmony, and yet often this harmony is challenged. That is our failure,” said Professor Emeritus Dr Anisuzzaman of Dhaka University.
Rights activist Sultana Kamal said, “The moment we were singing songs of peace on the dais, I received a message that the Ahmedyia community came under attack in Rangpur.
“We need to be very aware that there are still elements in this country trying to create problems for a secular Bangladesh.”
“We can say a country is developed only when its minority rights are protected," said Humaira Islam of Urban Study Group.
Prof Serajul Islam Chowdhury, Hameeda Hossain, Sara Hossain, Khushi Kabir, Prof Kazi Madinah, and Prof Nasrin Ahmed also took part in the programme.
The event was organised with the participation of different organisations, including Urban Study Group, Ain o Salish Kendro, Nijera Kori and Transparency International Bangladesh.