ICC Note:

During Bengali New Year celebrations, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh called on the people of his country to respect all religions. This comes on the heels of a series of attack perpetrated by Islamic extremists in Bangladesh, including the murder of a Christian convert from Islam. Many fear that Bangladesh is slipping towards more religiously motivated violence because of a rumored ISIS presence within the Muslim majority country. Will this public call to peace and tolerance help turn back the tide? 

4/15/2016 Bangladesh (Asia News) – Millions of people yesterday celebrated ‘Pahela Baishakh’, the Bengali New Year, which brings together people from different cultures, religions, castes and creeds, to celebrate harmony and being together in peace and serenity.

This year’s New Year’s Eve has taken on a special connotation, given recent episodes of Islamic extremism that have left a trail of blood across the country. For this reason, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina addressed the nation, urging her fellow Bangladeshis to respect all religions.

“Islam,” she said, “teaches us that everyone should practice his or her own religion. Islam does not teach to hurt other people’s faith. So we shouldn’t hurt other people in their religion feeling.”

Yesterday was the first day of the year 1423 in the Bengali calendar. Celebrations began at dawn, in the streets, with singing, dancing and music. Even the country’s churches organized special services to mark the event.

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