Dhaka: Religious leaders, rights advocates, and citizens from different faith communities gathered on Thursday to protest against ongoing wars, conflicts, and attacks targeting religious minorities and places of worship worldwide. They participated in an interfaith human chain, calling for peace, coexistence, and mutual respect among communities. The event was organized by the 'Sarbadhramiyo Oikya Forum' in front of the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the speakers at the event urged the international community, the United Nations, and global human rights organizations to take concrete steps to halt war, communal violence, and persecution in different parts of the world. They stressed the importance of collective global efforts to uphold peace, religious freedom, and interfaith harmony.
The speakers expressed concern over the increasing trend of religious intolerance, violence, and human rights abuses. Nirmal Rozario, President of the Bangladesh Christian Association and one of the presidents of the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council, emphasized that attacks on religious minorities and the destruction of places of worship undermine human dignity and security. He called for an immediate end to all forms of violence and religious persecution.
Chairman H M Barkatullah highlighted the crisis humanity faces due to the misuse of religion to justify division and bloodshed. He urged the international community and global institutions to take a more active and effective role in establishing peace. Father Albert Rozario reaffirmed that every religion promotes peace and compassion, yet people are persecuted solely for their religious identity, which he described as a crisis for all humanity.
Buddhananda Mahathero stated that hatred and revenge cannot achieve peace, advocating for tolerance, mutual respect, and humane values as pathways to a world free from violence and conflict. Rev. Jason Adhikari envisioned a world where no one has to live in fear because of their faith or identity, emphasizing that ensuring the safety and dignity of religious minorities and places of worship is now a global human rights imperative.