Dhaka, Bangladesh — A 16-year-old boy, injured in a violent incident three months ago when religious extremists targeted the Ahmadiyya community in Panchagarh’s Ahmednagar region, succumbed to his injuries Friday, according to hospital authorities in Dhaka. Shahriar Rakeen had been battling severe head trauma at the National Institute of Neurosciences and Hospital since the attack.
Shahriar’s father, Abdul Wahab, announced that his son’s remains would be returned to their village for burial after months of agonizing medical efforts to save him. The loss has reverberated through the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, which lamented the death as a result of what they termed a “barbaric communal attack.”
According to Ahmad Tabshir Chowdhury, a spokesperson for the community, the assailants were radical religious extremists who launched coordinated attacks against the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at following a governmental shift on August 5, 2024. The violence was extensive, with attacks reported on a mosque, and hundreds of homes and structures associated with the community. The violence in Ahmednagar, Panchagarh alone resulted in 22 casualties.
Shahriar was among those severely injured during these attacks. Initially treated at Panchagarh Government Hospital, his condition necessitated subsequent transfers to Rangpur Medical College and finally to specialized facilities in Dhaka.
The resurgence in attacks against religious minorities has coincided with recent political upheavals, prompting widespread concern about the safety and security of these vulnerable groups. The Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has reported incidents across 29 districts, signaling a disturbing rise in religious and communal violence.
Furthermore, the turmoil has led to looting and arson in significant areas, including near national landmarks such as Ganabhaban and the Sangsad Bhaban (parliament building). Offices, police stations, and properties linked to the ruling party, the Awami League, have also been targeted, exacerbating the climate of fear among minority and opposition groups.
The Ahmadiyya community, along with other minority groups, has called for immediate and decisive action from the government to restore law and order and to ensure the protection of all citizens regardless of religious affiliation. They stress that justice for victims like Shahriar is imperative in stemming the tide of extremism and violence that threatens the fabric of the nation.
Medical staff and witnesses of the attacks reveal a grim picture of the consequences of neglecting rising extremist ideologies and the importance of addressing such threats to societal harmony and safety. The unanimous call is for concerted efforts to address grievances, promote inclusiveness, and dismantle the networks perpetuating hate and division.