As diverse multi-faith organizations, we condemn the recent attacks on Bangladesh's Hindu minority community during and after the Hindu festival of Durga Puja.

In recent days, Bangladeshi Hindus, who comprise around 10 percent of the country’s population, have faced horrific violence. This violence broke out on October 15, after a photo went viral on social media showing a copy of the Qur'an placed at the knee of a Hindu deity's statue. In reaction, Muslim mobs across the country have attacked Hindu homes, shops, and temples. The Guardian reported that over 80 shrines set up for the festival of Durga Puja were attacked. In Rangpur district, a mob burned over 20 Hindu homes. According to Amnesty International, seven people have been killed and hundreds have been injured.

We are committed to speaking up for the rights of all persecuted minorities. We see these attacks as part of a disturbing trend of rising violence against South Asia's many religious minorities and oppressed-caste communities. In India, we have seen rising attacks against Muslims, Dalits, Christians, and Sikhs; in Pakistan, against Hindus, Christians, Shi'a and Ahmadi Muslims; and in Sri Lanka, against Muslims, Christians, and Tamil Hindus. All majoritarian violence in South Asia, and around the world, must be vigorously condemned.

We stand with Bangladesh's religious minorities: Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, Shi'a Muslims, Ahmadi Muslims, Baha'is, atheists, and others, many of whom belong to oppressed-caste communities as well.

We join international organizations such as Amnesty International and the United Nations in condemning this violence. We are relieved that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has promised to take action against the perpetrators of this violence. We call on Bangladesh's government to ensure justice to all the families who have faced devastating losses at the time of their most important festival.

More information:

• Al Jazeera (Oct. 19): Hundreds protest in Bangladesh over deadly religious violence

• DW (Oct. 19): Bangladesh: Hindus targeted by violence demand better legal protection

• Reuters (Oct 19): Bangladesh's ruling party rallies for Hindus after deadly clashes

• Scroll (Oct 19): Bangladesh violence: UN, Amnesty International condemn attacks on Hindus

• Amnesty International (October 18): Bangladesh: Wave of anti-Hindu attacks must be fully investigated by authorities

• Guardian (October 16): Seven dead after violence erupts during Hindu festival in Bangladesh

SIGNATORIES:

Organizations:

1. American Bangali Hindu Foundation, USA

2. American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin, USA

3. American Muslim Institution, Washington, D.C.

4. Association of Indian Muslims of America, USA

5. Beloved Community Interfaith Network of Prince George's County, USA

6. Center for Pluralism, USA

7. Chínelos de Morelos en Nueva York, USA

8. Church of Scientology National Affairs Office, USA

9. Crnogorci Danilovgrad, Montenegro

10. Global Compassion, Santchou, Cameroon

11. GreenFaith, USA

12. Hindus for Human Rights - ANZ

13. Hindus for Human Rights - UK

14. Hindus for Human Rights - USA

15. Indian American Muslim Council, USA

16. Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County, USA

17. Interfaithshaadi, USA

18. Islamic Networks Group (ING)

19. Kaur Republic, USA

20. Micah Institute, USA

21. Museum of World Religions, Taiwan

22. Muslims for Progressive Values, USA

23. New York Conference, United Church of Christ, USA

24. New York State Council of Churches, USA

25. Our World Too, United Kingdom

26. Partners Against The Hate (P.A.T.H.) Coordinator, USA

27. Poetic Justice Foundation, Canada

28. Red Baraat, USA

29. Revealing Light Ministries, USA

30. Rumi Forum, USA

31. Suneko, Ethiopia

32. The Humanism Project, Australia

33. United Church of Christ, USA

34. United Madrassi Association Inc., USA

35. Urdushahkar.com

36. Women for Afghan Women, USA

37. Women's Initiative in Spirituality and Equality, USA

Individuals:

(Institutional affiliation is provided for identification purposes only and does not constitute institutional endorsement.)

1. Abhayjeet Singh Sachal, Executive Director, Break The Divide Foundation, Canada

2. Alek Barovic, Crnogorci Danilovgrad, Montenegro

3. Ambika Venkatasubbu, India

4. Aminta Kilawan-Narine, Executive Director, South Queens Women's March; Co-Founder, Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, USA

5. Anantanand Rambachan, Professor of Religion, Saint Olaf College, USA

6. Bindu Desai, USA

7. Chloe Breyer, Executive Director, The Interfaith Center of New York, USA

8. Christine Grace B. Fernandez, Community Development Specialist, Sumifru Philippines Corporation

9. Deepak Joshi, Activist, Australia

10. Devleena Ghosh, Sydney, Australia

11. Emina Frljak, Bosnia and Herzegovina

12. Eric Freeman, Chaplain, New York State Chaplain Task Force, USA

13. Erin Adarve, Board Member, Anytown Las Vegas, USA

14. Faraz Hussain, USA

15. Fletcher Harper, Executive Director, GreenFaith, USA

16. Gautham Reddy, Board Member, Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, USA

17. Helen Lundström Erwin, Executive Board Member, Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, USA

18. Iiris Niemelä, Tampere Peace Research Institute, Finland

19. Jayashri, Canada

20. Kaleem Kawaja, Executive Director, Association of Indian Muslims of America, USA

21. Lina Salim, Singapore

22. Maha Elgenaidi, Founder, Islamic Networks Group (ING), USA

23. Maria D Habito, International Program Director, Museum of World Religions, Taiwan - Dallas Office

24. Markéta Byrtusová, Czechia

25. Melva Victorino, Lay Leader and Chair of UCC NY Conference Global Ministries, United Church of Christ, USA

26. Mike Ghouse, President, Center for Pluralism, USA

27. Naheed Samadi Bahram, US Country Director, Women for Afghan Women

28. Navjot Pal Kaur, Blogger at Kaur Republic, USA

29. Peter Cook, Executive Director, New York State Council of Churches, USA

30. Pooja Prazid, USA

31. Pranab Chakraborty, American Bangali Hindu Foundation

32. Rabbi Alissa Wise, USA

33. Rabbi Dr. Barat Ellman, CAMMEERR (Children of Abraham, Martin, Malcolm, Emma, Ella, Rosa, and Rose), USA

34. Rev. Dr. Scott Stearman, U.N. Representative, Baptist World Alliance / Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, USA

35. Rev. Joel A. Gibson, Executive Director, Micah Institute, USA

36. Rev. Mark, Interfaith Institute of Long Island, USA

37. Rev. Will McGarvey, Executive Director, Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County, USA

38. Rodge Lelis, Mental Health Practitioner, Association of Psychologists and Helping Practitioners, Philippines

39. Sabiha Mohyuddin, Graduate Student, UC Santa Barbara, USA

40. Sabrina Sohail, Executive Director, The Peace Project, USA

41. Saeed Patel, President, American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin, USA

42. Sami Uddin, Indian American Muslim Council, USA

43. Samir Durvasula, Board Member, Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, USA

44. Samson Haileyesus, Executive Director, O-YES Global Foundation, Ethiopia

45. Shahana Hanif, Democratic Nominee, New York City Council District 39, USA

46. Shashank Rao, Member, Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, USA

47. Sibu Szymanowska, USA

48. Sunita Viswanath, Executive Director, Hindus for Human Rights, USA

49. Sunny Jain, Red Baraat, USA

50. Swami Vedanand Saraswati, Arya Samaj South Africa

51. Syed M Shahed, urdushahkar.com, USA

52. Tahil Sharma, Board Member, Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, USA

53. Uma Shankari, India

54. Valson Thampu, Retired Professor, India

55. Vijay Parameshwaran, Facilitator, Beloved Community Interfaith Network of Prince George's County, USA

56. Zafar Siddiqui, Board Member, Islamic Resource Group, USA

57. Zainab Chamoun, Ambassador, Adyan Foundation, Lebanon