Cablegate: Police Foil Latest Anti-Ahmadiya Protest

VZCZCXRO3483
RR RUEHCI
DE RUEHKA #6192 2821055
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 091055Z OCT 06
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2028
INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 9374
RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 8720
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1306
RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 7595
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL CALCUTTA

UNCLAS DHAKA 006192

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT. FOR DRL/IRF ATTN: JMORALES

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL BG
SUBJECT: POLICE FOIL LATEST ANTI-AHMADIYA PROTEST

1. On October 6, Police have thwarted another attempt by the
International Khatme Nabuwat Movement Bangladesh (IKNMB), an
anti-Ahmadiya militant organization, to seize an Ahmadiya
mosque in the Purba Nakhampara area in Dhaka approximately
five kilometers from the chancery. IKNMB supporters began
gathering near the mosque on October 4, protesting the GOB's
unwillingness to declare the Ahmadiyas "non-Muslim" and
threatening to seize the mosque on October 6.

2. After prayers, at noon on Friday, IKNMB supporters, some
wielding sticks, began marching on the mosque. Police blocked
road access, preventing the demonstrators from getting near
the Ahmadiya facilities. The protesters responded by throwing
rocks and fighting with police, but were eventually turned
back. Eight protesters and two police officers were reported
injured in the clashes.

3. Later that afternoon, IKNMB protesters delivered a sign to
the local police station which said, "This is the place of
worship of Kadiyanis (Ahmadiyas), Muslims should not mistake
it for a mosque." Police told them that they would not post
the sign on the Ahmadiya mosque, and eventually the
protesters left. Ahmadiya representatives informed us that
they were satisfied that the police foiled the attack on
their mosque, and expressed appreciation for continuing USG
interest.

4. Comment: Fired up by an Islamist political leader upset
over BNP's refusal to give him a cabinet seat, anti-Ahmadiya
zealots in December 2003 kicked off in bloody fashion their
current campaign against Ahmadiyas by targeting this same
mosque in Purba Nakhampara. In January 2004, the GOB
announced a ban on Ahmadiya publications, and in April
demonstrators, under police supervision, briefly occupied the
mosque and carted off several "banned" books. Police refusal
this time to allow the zealots near the mosque is consistent
with the GOB's more or less consistent efforts since
September 2004 to protect Ahmadiyas and their property.
PASI

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