Expressing deep concern over the ‘ongoing and increasing’ attacks against religious minorities in Bangladesh, a Canadian delegation said here on Friday that only a clear separation between religion and politics can ensure the rights of all Bangladeshis, including minorities. “If you want to be a politician, be a politician. If you want to be a man of religion, be a man of religion,” Rev Majed El Shafie, head of the delegation and Founder of One Free World International (OFWI), told a press conference at the National Press Club urging political parties not to make ‘unholy-marriage’ between religion and politics. Terming the alliance between opposition BNP and Jamaat an ‘unholy-marriage’ which, he thinks, is becoming a danger and threat to Bangladesh’s peace and stability, Shafie said they are not here to support the government or the opposition. “That’s not our position. Our position is simply that – keep politics for politicians and keep region for the religious people…you can’t use violence as a way of communication,” he explained. Responding to a question, Shafie said they did not meet the Jamaat leaders and straightly informed the BNP representatives that the Jamaat today is not the same old Jamaat. “There might be a backfire due to the unholy-marriage,” he said adding that any type of marriage goes through some difficulties like divorce and separation after a certain period. The delegation included two Canadian Members of Parliament (MPs) – Brad Butt and Jay Aspin, also Vice Chair of Canada Bangladesh Parliamentary Friendship Group. The two MPs participated in the delegation in the capacity of observers. The delegation have been visiting Bangladesh since December 16 and have already met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and representatives of the main opposition BNP as well as civil society and religious minority leaders. Shafie, also President of OFWI, said they have traveled to Bangladesh in order to stand with the people of Bangladesh against religious extremism in any form. He said the people of Bangladesh must reject attempts by religious extremist parties to exert influence over the political process and impose a restrictive view of religion that would make political and civil rights contingent on one’s religious identity. “The threat of extremism is not only a threat to Bangladesh’s minorities, it’s a threat to Bangladeshi people as a whole,” the delegation chief said mentioning that the nation of Bangladesh is at a crossroads in its history. He observed that the current political struggle goes to the very heart of Bangladesh’s collective national identity. “If human rights are to prevail, the Bangladeshi people must have the strength of conviction to separate religious identity from democracy and politics, and affirm everyone’s right to full democratic participation and protection under the law.” Shafie also said the OFWI is committed to standing with the people and government of Bangladesh in all genuine efforts to continue down the path of freedom and human rights, rather than head down the path of extremism and intolerance. One Free World International (OFWI) is an international human rights organization based in Toronto, Canada, that focuses on the rights of religious minorities around the world and promotes tolerance, understanding and respect for diverse religious beliefs. – UNB
