A young student in Ahmednagar, Bangladesh, tells “Bitter Winter” how sectarian hatred broke one young life.
by Marco Respinti
Article 2 of 2. Read article 1.
Taher Ahmed Joy studies at the East West University, in Dakha, the capital of Bangladesh. He is in his second year of his bachelor’s degree in business administration (BBA). His hometown is the village of Ahmednagar in the District of Panchagarth, Division of Rangpur, where in August 2024 a mob of religious fanatics assaulted the local Ahmadi Muslim population, resulting in the death of Shahriar Rakeen, 16. As mentioned in the first article of this series, on March 3, 2023, that very same village had also been attacked by hundreds of thugs, who caused the death of Jahid Hasan, around 25. Reflecting on this incident, Taher authored a poem that was published by “Bitter Winter.”
Ahmadis are systematically denounced by several fanatic religious leaders that consider them as being outside mainline Islam and heretics. Taher Ahmed Joy is a direct eyewitness of what happened when Shahriar Rakeen was beaten to death. He shared his testimony with “Bitter Winter”.
Q.: Taher, can you recall the context of the aggression in Ahmednagar?
A.: In June, students in Bangladesh began protesting against the government, demanding a reduction in the quota system in public job sectors (30%). The protests were organized by a student group named “Students Against Discrimination.” By July, the protests had gained significant momentum. On July 16, 2024, the government responded by shutting down all university halls, schools, and colleges. This action only fueled the students’ anger, and on July 18, they launched powerful protests across Bangladesh. The government cut off internet connections, and many students were tragically killed on that day. Although the government eventually accepted all of the protesters’ demands, they continued to arrest students involved in the demonstrations. Gradually, the protests transformed into a movement aimed at overthrowing the government. On August 5, students called for a non-cooperation movement and marched to the People’s House, where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resided. On that day, the government fell, and Prime Minister Hasina fled to India.
Q.: What happened in Ahmednagar on that final day of the protests?
A.: On August 5, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Panchagarh District contacted Mohammad Muttalib Hossain Khan, the president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at (“jama’at” meaning “community”) in Ahmednagar. The DC stated that no assistance would be provided if protesters attacked Ahmadi mosques and homes. When the Army’s Chief Staff, Four-star General Waker-uz-Zaman, announced the Prime Minister’s resignation, a group of protesters, led by some leaders of the “Khatme Nubuwwat” arrived in Ahmednagar and began burning houses and shops. While “Khatme Nubuwwat” refers to the Islamic principle that considers Muhammad as the “Seal of the Prophets,’ it is also the collective name of different groups that regard Ahmadis as heretics for not being faithful to that concept. Ahmadis, who consider themselves Muslims, deny the accusation. The rioters used gunpowder to set the houses on fire, demonstrating their rage and anger against the Ahmadi community. The attackers were also armed with various local weapons. They then moved toward the Ahmadi mosque of Ahmednagar.
Q.: What happened then?
A.: Within ten minutes, the protesters started breaking the main door of the mosque’s premises. Inside, there were three women and 15–16 boys and men. That group of around twenty people tried to protect the main gate to save the mosque, their religious center, and the elderly people inside. After fifteen minutes of defending the gate, this suddenly opened, leaving them twenty against thousands. They tried to convince the attackers that they were not involved in politics and were peaceful people, pleading with them not to burn the mosque or harm the women and children. However, the attackers did not listen and began beating them. Unable to withstand the assault, they fled and took shelter in the guest house, a building where visitors to Ahmednagar typically rest. The attackers burned down the mosque and nearby vehicles, then began breaking down the guest house gate, which was made of grills. The defenders could see through the gate and used whatever they could to stay alive—throwing plates, glass, smoke from fire extinguishers, and water mixed with chili powder. The boys and the male members stood on the stairs, declaring they would protect the women at any cost, even if it meant losing their own lives. Among them was a woman named Taslima Akter, aged around 49, and the wife of Abdul Kader Mohiuddin Khan, the local Secretary of Tahirik e Jadid (the Ahmadi organization providing funds for translating the Quran in different languages, producing books, and housing missionaries) and Waqfe Jadid (the Ahmadi organization providing funds for maintaining teachers of Islam). She stood with a stick alongside the boys, saying, “We are smaller in numbers; that’s why I stand with you.” Mohammad Muttalib Hossain Khan continuously encouraged them, took care of them, motivated them, and tried to contact the administration of Panchagarh District, but there was no response.
Q.: What happened to Shahriar Rakeen?
A.: Finally, the attackers broke the gate of the field where, in Ahmednagar, the Ahmadis of Bangladesh hold their national Jalsa Salana, the annual gathering of prayers, and where, in 2023, Jahid Hasan was assassinated. In the field there were the local Ahmadi youth leaders and some children, aged 15–18. They tried to protect the gate but failed and were caught by the attackers. They were brutally beaten, but, by the grace of Allah, no one died. After about 3 hours and 30 minutes of this situation, the army arrived, and the attackers began to flee from Ahmednagar. However, one person, Shahriar Rakeen, was severely injured. He was hospitalized, locally first and then transported to Dhaka. His brain was severely injured, and half of his body was paralyzed. The attackers also burned the community’s storeroom. More than thirty people were brutally beaten, around 100 houses were burned. Eventually, Shahriar Rakeen died on November 7.
