Adviser disagrees with Trump’s claims on violence against minorities in Bangladesh

Former US president Donald Trump’s recent comments about the violence against minority communities in Bangladesh have caused embarrassment, Dr AFM Khalid Hossain, religious affairs adviser, has said.

“We believe that people of all religions here, including minorities, have recognized political, religious, social, and cultural rights. Therefore, we disagree with claims of harassment.”

He added: “Trump may have made these statements to win votes. However, we are committed to ensuring that people of all faiths in this country are safe.”

He made these comments on Sunday morning while speaking to journalists after inaugurating the two-day “Sunnah Foundation Conference Bangladesh-2024” organized by the Daffodil Islamic Centre at Daffodil International University in Savar.

The religious affairs adviser said: “We have ensured their religious, business, and political rights, and this is our commitment. Anyone attempting to desecrate any place of worship is not religious but a criminal, and it is the government’s responsibility to bring criminals to justice.

“During recent religious festivals, we provided maximum security. We believe that without tolerance, we cannot build an inclusive society. If we foster mutual respect, tolerance, and harmony, we can move toward communal harmony.”

Earlier, Donald Trump strongly condemned the violence against minorities in Bangladesh while criticizing his rival Joe Biden- Kamal Harris administration in a Diwali message. 

"I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos," Trump wrote in X, formerly Twitter. 

"It would have never happened on my watch," he wrote.