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Is It True?

Sunita Paul - 5/11/2008

Repression of religious minority, be it anywhere in the world, will certainly rock the minds of conscious people of ever religious beliefs. In recent days, suddenly a story of repressing a Christian woman named Mary Mondol came into media's attention when undeterred Canada Free Press published the report of her, who was reportedly forced to religious conversion to Islam and finally oppressed by her husband (no one said, what the name of her husband is). I read the report in Canada Free Press, and was considering it rather as a normal incident taking place in my own country as well as in South Asian neighbors. But, my conclusions broke into serious suspect when my Moslem friend in Bangladesh, Kazi Azizul Huq, who represents a political party named Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan took up the case to investigate and stand for the justice of Ms. Mondol. How many mails, I even never counted, he sent to many places searching either the trace of this woman or at least her oppressors. But, none, even the Christian leaders, journalists or priests could at least confirm with specific evidence that the 'incident' was true.

Lately, Mr. Huq received an email from Reverend Father Tim, who is a notable individual in Bangladesh and in the outside world, for his commitment in protecting the rights of Christians in particular in Bangladesh.

Mr. Kazi Azizul Huq, bringing the case of Ms. Mary Mondol, wrote to Father Tim, "Michigan based Christian Freedom International (CFI) has published a news on 29 April 2008 of reported complain of Pastor William Gomes about persecution of one Mary Mondol in Dhaka (whose age, whereabouts etc. have not been disclosed).

"It has been reported that Mary was forcefully converted to Islam and was compelled to marry a Muslim man in 2001. Since then she has been victim of torture by her Muslim husband and his family members even throughout her pregnancy in 2007. In January 2008 she was kicked out of her home and she sought help of Pastor William Gomes for legal case against her abusive husband (whose name & whereabouts have not been disclosed). It has also been reported that Pastor William Gomes has been threatened by the relatives of Mary Mondol's husband since the authorities in Dhaka apparently biased in favour of her Muslim husband.

"We want to meet the reported victim and Pastor William Gomes and if the complains are found true then Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon would stand beside them for their safety and protection.

"As the matter is of extreme urgency and as we could not trace such incident, we seek your cooperation to trace and meet them to able to defend them.

"We oppose forceful or deceitful conversion of any one to Islam or Christianity. Both you and I are aware of voluntary conversion of Non-Muslims to Islam and Non-Christians to Christianity. This case of Mary Mondol and her reported forceful conversion to Islam is something unique.

"Since there are vested interests selling stories of minority persecution to various western donors while real cases of persecution remain out of focus of local and international human rights groups as well media, we are serious to investigate the case and do the needful.

"Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon believes that while Muslims are our brethren in Faith, non-Muslims are our kin since we are all children of Adam & Eve (Peace & Blessings of Allah be upon them). Therefore BKA has accommodated non-Muslims in its important positions. Development of all communities irrespective of religious identity is included the agenda of Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon.

We are seeking your assistance in investigating this case and defending her if she is a genuine victim."

In his reply to Mr. Huq, Father Tim wrote, "Regarding Mary Mondol, I was out of the country for several days and just caught my fellow worker Rosaline before she left the country. She had looked into the matter and talked to William for an hour. They have misrepresented him as a Pastor. It was done, he said, by a Muslim convert to make it seem more authentic. But the story is said to be true as narrated and Mary Mondal has given her testimony both orally and in writing. We do not know her (she is not a Catholic Christian) but Rosaline intends to contact her on her return from abroad after several days."

After getting response from Father Tim, Bangladesh Khelafat Andolan leader Kazi Azizul Huq wrote to Ms. Rosaline Costa, who runs an NGO named Hotline Bangladesh stating, "Father Timm informed me that you know about the reported case of Mary Mondol & William Gomes who was misreported as a Pastor.

"The whole story about Mary Mondol and Pastor William Gomes seems to be dubious. We searched all possible contacts in the Christian community and at length came to know from Father Timm that you know about it. But we have every doubt whether you know as much to be able to take it to Capitol Hill for Congressional Hearing. About Mary Mondol most likely on your information CFI reported "Her story mirrors the plight of many other Christian women in Bangladesh, where forced marriage and conversion to Islam, the country's dominant religion, has been a widespread source of fear and abuse for years." This is not true. You are colleague of Reverend Father Timm. I hope, you will not lie. In Bangladesh conversion of any Christian to Islam is a very rare case. Christian minority in Bangladesh is rather a privileged class cared and protected by Western governments as well as their NGOs and missionaries. Yes, there are cases of continuation of various forms of repression of Hindu minority in Bangladesh and Muslim minority in India mostly a legacy of the partition of the Sub-continent in 1947. Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon has been struggling to correct people's mind and address specific cases. Since certain vested interests started taking too much interest in our ethnic and tribal minorities and our government without indepth understanding and vision started interventions, sections of our ethnic and tribal minorities have fallen victim of repression mostly by the authorities or the goons instigated by the authorities. Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon is aware of the situation and have been trying to correct government policy and address specific cases. It may be noted that Bangladesh Government has recently allowed extension of mobile phone network to CHT for which Bangladesh Khelafat Andolon pursued the key government agencies.

"However, if on the plea of security you want to hide the whereabouts of Mary Mondol from me because I am a Muslim then kindly arrange her meeting with the eminent Hindu journalist Mr. Sanjeeb Chowdhury who is the founder Vice Chairman of Bangladesh Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice (BICPAJ).

"What is the plea for hiding the name and address of the said Mary Mondol's Muslim husband and her husband's family home address? We also want to meet Mr. William Gomes (or the gentleman represented by this name). If you think that it is not safe for him to meet us then kindly let him meet Mr. Sanjeeb Chowdhury. We seek your cooperation for this investigation. And we assure you that if the report is found true then we shall do everything possible for us to ensure security of the victim mother and her child and we shall pursue to ensure justice.

Waiting for the name and address of the husband of said Mary Mondol."

Although Father Tim suggested Mr. Huq to wait till return of Ms. Costa, it was already reported in the press that, Ms. Rosaline Costa is in Washington to give important testimony on minority repression in Bangladesh, where she definitely shall also raise the issue of Mary Mondol. And, it is greatly anticipated that, American policymakers, without going into details of the matter, or even without investigating the truth or lie, would virtually absorb the statements of the female activist. Here is the beginning of my concern. I do not want to defend the oppressors in Bangladesh, who are liable for minority repression, it is my obligation as a human being, indeed, to stand in favor of truth and fight against lies. The very case and the way of its presentation as well as suppressing the name of the husband of Mary Mondol leaves strong signal of dubiousness in the minds of everyone. On the other hand, it is a shame for Bangladeshi authorities for not coming up with their own statement in clarifying the entire episode.