Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and former Member of Parliament, Mia Golam Porwar issued a statement today, on 18 December expressing concern over and condemning the threats of attacks on places of worship and missionary institutions of the Christian community in the country, and simultaneously calling for the preservation of communal harmony.

In the statement, he said: “We have learned that recently, through anonymous and undated letters, threats have been issued to attack the places of worship and missionary institutions of the Christian community in the country, falsely using the name of so-called Tawhidi, or Islam-loving masses. On behalf of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, we strongly condemn such vile and reprehensible activities.”

He further said: “Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony. A thousand years of history bear witness that in this land, Muslims and people of all other faiths have been enjoying all civic rights, including religious rights. Every citizen enjoys full freedom to peacefully practice his or her own religion without any obstruction. In our beloved motherland Bangladesh, there is no discrimination among people.

He added: “Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is an Islamic political party that believes in justice-based and humane values. Regardless of religion, ethnicity, or group identity, we are committed to establishing the religious rights as well as all fundamental human rights of all people. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami reiterates this pledge to the Christian community, indigenous peoples, and followers of all religions that we will continue to extend all-out cooperation to ensure the religious rights of all citizens of the country, along with the protection of their lives and property, honor and dignity, and a secure way of living.”

Calling upon the law enforcement agencies to exercise the highest level of vigilance in this regard, he said: “To thwart any conspiracy aimed at destroying communal harmony in the country, all people must remain united.”