Dhaka: hundreds of Hindus, Buddhists and Christians condemn Sri Lanka massacres (Photos)

by Sumon Corraya

The protesters wore a black bandage on their mouth. The purpose of the protest is to show that the population does not support any attack on places of worship, be they churches or mosques.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - Hundreds of Hindus, Buddhists and Christians in Bangladesh have united in condemning Easter massacres in three churches and three hotels in Colombo. Today more than 300 people participated in a silent protest in the Shahbagh area of Dhaka. The sign of recognition was a black kerchief covering the mouths of the protesters. Speaking for them there were posters and banners, with the words "Stop killing", "Stop the genocide", "Save humanity", "Down with national and international terrorists".

The event was organized by the Bangladesh Christian Association and the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council. They were joined by young people, activists and even children. Meanwhile, the body of little Zayan Chowdhary, grandson of Awami League leader Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim, who died in the attacks, returned to Bangladesh and was buried. The two, together with the father of the injured child, were in one of the three hotels hit by the suicide bombers.

Rana Das Gupta, general secretary of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, told AsiaNews: "We have noticed that local and international Islamic fundamentalist groups have increased since the Soviet Revolution. The attacks in Sri Lanka and New Zealand are not separate incidents. It is a global problem ”.

The Hindu activist continues: "As a religious minority, we are very worried. All over the world, minorities have become victims of terrorist attacks by radicals. In Bangladesh, religious minorities are not safe. To solve this problem, world leaders should sit around a table and discuss it to find a solution. "

Ven. Bhikkhu Sunandapriya, general secretary of the Bangladesh Buddhist Federation, adds: "I have no words to condemn these horrendous and deadly attacks on the people of Sri Lanka on Easter Sunday, nor to express my deep sorrow for the loss of innocent and precious lives. Religious leaders must take responsibility for teaching the faithful the condemnation of religious violence ".

The event was attended by 24 young Catholics. Patrick Purification, president of the Bangladesh Catholic Students ’Movement, declares:“ We want peace in the world. Generating the [meaning] humanity in people's hearts is what we need right now”.

Nirmol Rozario, president of the Bangladesh Christian Association says the aim of the event was "to show that the population of Bangladesh does not support any attack on places of worship. We want a peaceful nation and world. People need to talk instead of carrying out attacks. Anyone who supports militants must be arrested and brought to justice".