Silence over Bangladesh issue a missed opportunity to present Madani vision to the world

A human rights organisation has called upon Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to voice out against the genocide and atrocities faced by the minority Hindus in Bangladesh because the Anwar’s silence marked a missed opportunity to present the Malaysia Madani vision to the global community.

“The lack of condemnation from Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim towards the violence and persecution faced by the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh is particularly concerning,” said Global Human Rights Foundation president S Shashi Kumar in a statement.

“Had Anwar condemned the atrocities and genocide happening in Bangladesh, it would be another platform to put his Madani vision to the global community.

“It would be a chance to show the world that Islam is not silent when there are injustice happening, regardless of the victims.”

“His silence on the atrocities in Bangladesh is deafening compared to the vocal voices that can be heard regarding Palestine.

“As Malaysia plays an active role in organizations such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and maintains strong bilateral relations with Bangladesh, there is a responsibility to speak out against the violence and oppression faced by minority communities.

Shashi added that Anwar also should voice out this issue since Malaysia is a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

“As a democratic secular nation and a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Malaysia should use voice out against these atrocities and heinous crimes without being bias.”

He is also concerned that Anwar’s deafening silence echoes out the wrong sentiments and messages to the non-Muslims in Malaysia.

The genocide of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh is a harrowing and devastating reality that has captured the attention of the international community.

The Hindu community in Bangladesh has faced at least 205 incidents of attacks in 52 districts, resulting in 60 deaths and 24 people being burned alive, according to media reports.

This wave of violence began on August 5, after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed resigned and fled the country, leaving the minority communities vulnerable to the brutal violence of extremist groups such as Jamaat-e-Islami.

According to Indian media, OpIndia, Hindus in Bangladesh have been living in fear as extremist groups have been making lists of Hindu businesses and houses to be targeted.

The atrocities committed against the Hindu community include murders, burnings, hangings, rapes, and killings of women’s. Homes, businesses, and Hindu temples have been vandalized, looted, torched, and destroyed, leaving a trail of devastation and trauma in their wake.

In a related development, Malaysia based India Muslim preacher Zakir Naik also have urged Bangladesh Muslims against harming the Hindus.