A Facebook post on Prophet Muhammad sparked massive riots at Comilla District in Bangladesh on Thursday. Angry mobs set multiple shrines on fire. Arsonists attacked the Kafil Uddin Shrine at Asadpur village in addition to 4 other shrines.
The attack on the Kafil Uddin Shrine damaged several graves at the site. The fire also damaged 3 adjacent houses, including one that allegedly belonged to the family of the individual that made the Facebook post.
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According to reports, a Facebook account called ‘Bemoja Mohsin’ made derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad. The user Mohammad Mohsin made the comment on Wednesday. The post sparked demands for his arrest.
The Police arrested Mohsin the same evening, after the Homna Unit of Bangladesh Islami Jubo Sena registered a complaint against him. The Police produced Mohsin before the Court which sent him to jail.
What do the Comilla authorities say?
Comilla Superintendent of Police (SP) Nazir Ahmed Khan said, “The accused was arrested within a very short time yesterday. Those involved in today’s vandalism and arson, and anyone who instigated or incited it, will also be brought under the law.”
Homna Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Ksemalika Chakma, after visiting the area, stated, “On Wednesday, anger was stirred among the people as their religious sentiment was hurt. Consequently, the angry crowd attacked the shrine, vandalised it and set it on fire on Thursday.”
Who are responsible for the latest outburst of Islamist violence in Bangladesh?
According to some reports, Islamist Towhidi Janata orchestrated the attack on the shrines. Towhidi Janata is an Islamist group that has close links to the Hefazat-e-Islam. Some believe that Towhidi Janata is one of Hefazat’s front organisations.
Towhidi extremists in the area allegedly announced from microphones that they had set 4 shrines on fire. They made the announcement since Wednesday. In addition to the Kafil Uddin Shrine, they also claimed they had set Hawali Shah, Kalai Shah and Abdu Shah shrines on fire.
The shrines in question belong to the Sufi sect of Islam. Islamist extremists in Bangladesh have consistently targeted them ever since the coup against Sheikh Hasina. It is their attempt to cleanse Bangladesh of what they perceive as heretic influences in Bangladeshi Muslim society.
