Ahmadiyyas urge govt to lift ban

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Bangladesh yesterday urged the government to withdraw the ban on its publications, terming the government move 'unjust'.

In a press release, the sect's General Secretary Kawsar Ali Mollah said the government decision has encouraged the religious zealots, who have long been spreading anti-Ahmadiyya sentiments to create instability in the society.

Kawsar said the Ahmadiyya devotees are suffering a lot due to the ban. The government being subservient to the anti-Ahmadiyya religious bigots took the decision that was 'unjust' and 'wrong', he added.

The government banned all publications of the Ahmadiyya sect on January 8, a day before the end of an ultimatum by the religious zealots of declaring the sect non-Muslim.

Kawsar also expressed his surprise over the seizure of the Quran and Bukhari Sharif by police from the Ahmadiyya Mosque in Nakhalpara in the city on Friday, saying the Muslims have the right to read and keep the holy Quran in the mosque.

He alleged the religious bigots are attempting to attack the Ahmadiyyas across the country, as the government has made room for them through the ban.