For Bishop of Rajshahi, Muslims should stand up to barbarous act in Dhaka

The president of the Bishops’ Commission for Justice and Peace slams the attack in the capital. “God shall not tolerate this massacre,” he told AsiaNews. “Now it's up to the country’s Muslims. They must stand up to save their religion”. The victims include nine Italians, seven Japanese, three Bangladeshis, and one Indian. Full of sadness, Pope Francis “condemns such barbarous acts as offences against God and humanity”.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) – Mgr Gervas Rozario, bishop of Rajshahi and president of the Bishops’ Commission for Justice and Peace, spoke to AsiaNews about last Friday’s massacre in Dhaka.

For the prelate, the attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery café “is an unjustified barbarous act. God’s name cannot and must not be mixed up with such acts. Now Muslims believers must stand up and intervene to save their religion”.

Twenty hostages died in the attack against the café popular with foreigners, including nine from Italy, seven from Japan, three from Bangladesh, and one from India. Six of the seven (presumed) terrorists also died, as did two policemen.

The gunmen stormed the café on the last Friday of Ramadan, shouting "Allah is great" and opened fire.

Bangladeshi’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina described the attackers as young misfits who do not understand the values ​​of Islam.

According to Mgr Rozario, the condemnation must be unanimous. "No one, of any religion, can justify killing. It is sad to realise that the hostages died in this way. God shall not tolerate this massacre. Now it's up to the country’s Muslims. They must stand up to save their religion. Peace must prevail upon all of us. "

The Bangladeshi Church "is praying for the victims of Islamic terrorism. May God grant eternal peace to the departed souls. The Christian martyrs of the massacre shall be remembered in a very special way."

In a message signed by the Secretary of State, Card Pietro Parolin, Pope Francis yesterday voiced his pain.

“Deeply saddened by the senseless violence perpetrated against innocent victims in Dhaka, His Holiness Pope Francis expresses heartfelt condolences and condemns such barbarous acts as offences against God and humanity.

“In commending the dead to God’s mercy, His Holiness gives the assurance of his prayers for the grieving families and the wounded.”

• bangladesh
• dhaka attack
• islam
• religious freedom
• Islamic state
• holey artisan bakery
• hostages
• catholic church