Atheism in Bangladesh ইসলাম ধর্ম

The problem of atheism in Bangladesh

By Nusrat Susana Nourin, UK

In a nutshell, atheists are individuals who do not believe in God and reject religious principles. In Bangladesh, atheists constitute a minority within the overall population.

According to the constitution of Bangladesh, every citizen enjoys the freedom of religion and can practice their faith as they choose. The constitution of the Republic explicitly prohibits all forms of religious discrimination. However, in recent times, several Bangladeshi bloggers have fallen victim to violence perpetrated by religious fundamentalist groups. In my view, the ignorance of political leaders and the apathy of Islamist factions have contributed to the growth of atheism.

Atheism is considered a taboo in Bangladesh. Not adhering to a religious faith often results in being labeled a disbeliever, and associating with such individuals is often deemed ‘haram’ or forbidden. What’s even more striking is the prevailing sentiment in the country that if someone is a blogger, they must be an atheist, and this has led to violence against them. Living in a free country, an individual’s religious beliefs or lack thereof are personal rights. There should be no compulsion in matters of religion.

Across the Muslim world, atheism has become increasingly perilous, and Bangladesh has recently found its place on the list of the most dangerous countries for atheists.

According to an international study, in 85 countries around the world, those who do not adhere to a religious belief or are atheists face severe discrimination and persecution. Bangladesh is among the 30 most dangerous countries for those who do not believe in religion or a creator, with reported cases of torture, extrajudicial killings, and disappearances involving individuals labeled as religious blasphemers.

“Numerous atheist bloggers have been targeted and killed in Bangladesh. One clear trend highlighted by surveys is that many people in Bangladesh lack a clear understanding of atheism. Instead, a prevalent notion has taken hold in society that atheists are adversaries of Islam. Consequently, the general public’s response to the killings of atheist bloggers has been limited. Presently, the situation has escalated to the point where Bangladesh has become highly unsafe for bloggers.”

According to our country’s constitution, every citizen is entitled to freedom of religion. However, the alarming frequency of killings targeting atheist bloggers continues in Bangladesh. It’s essential to understand that those responsible for these murders are murderers, and their actions are not representative of any religion. No religion advocates violence, and it is the government’s responsibility to safeguard the lives of its citizens. Unfortunately, when it comes to protecting atheist bloggers in this country, the government and the police have failed. Assigning blame solely to groups like Ansarullah Bangla or certain Islamic militant forces does not address the root of the problem.

It’s important to clarify that not all bloggers are atheists, nor are bloggers always targeting believers. Just as it is unfair to label all religious practitioners as militants, the same principle applies to bloggers. In Bangladesh, as in the rest of the world, believers have the right to live peacefully, and atheists also have the same right to live without fear or persecution. Unfortunately, many bloggers and atheists in our country are forced to hide or seek refuge in other countries to ensure their safety.

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