US embassy cable - 05DHAKA1143

UNCLAS DHAKA 001143 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM, PGOV, KISL, BG 
SUBJECT: POLICE TURN BACK MARCHERS ON AHMADIYA MOSQUE 
 
 
1. (SBU) Police suppressed and controlled the Khatme Nobuyat 
Movement's attempt on March 11 to siege an Ahmadiya mosque in 
Bogra following a week of processions throughout Bangladesh 
demanding the BDG declare Ahmadiyas as non-Muslims.  There 
were no arrests or injuries. 
 
2. (SBU) On March 13, Ahmadiya leaders told poloff that 8,000 
people -- including many madrassah students bussed or trucked 
in from neighboring areas -- surrounded the mosque hoping to 
replace the existing "Ahmadiya Mosque" signboard with "A 
place of worship by Kadianis in Bogra town" sign.  The 
demonstrators called on police to go into the mosque and 
seize Ahmadiyya publications and books. While the police did 
not take any publications, they did put up the sign the 
marchers brought to appease the crowd.  After a few hours the 
police took the sign down. 
 
3. (SBU) The Ahmadiya leaders remarked that police now seem 
less assertive in protecting Ahmadiyas and their mosques. 
The police officer in charge in Bogra reportedly apologized 
and expressed helplessness in fully protecting Ahmadiyas to 
explain why he caved into the pressure of hanging up the 
sign. 
 
4. (SBU) When asked why Bogra was targeted for this attempted 
seige, Ahmadiya leaders voiced uncertainity.  One leader 
speculated, however, that since the mosque is well situated 
in town, interest in its valuable real estate could be a 
reason. They characterized the Ahmadiya community in Bogra as 
small, with only about 150 members. 
 
5. (SBU) Comment: The good news is that the police have again 
stopped extremists from seizing an Ahmadiya mosque.  However, 
Ahmadiya leaders continue to assert that anti-Ahmadiya 
activists enjoy BDG backing.  They also reject Law Minister 
Ahmed's recent characterization of anti-Ahmadiya attacks as 
sporadic and not representative of prevailing Bangladeshi 
tolerance.  We will continue to press the BDG to protect the 
rights and property of Ahmadiyas and all other Bangladeshis. 
THOMAS