(Media Watch/IFEX) – Religious extremists identifying themselves as Talebans (followers of the Islamic extremist group which rules Afghanistan) reportedly threatened to kill sculptor Shamim Sikder. A letter signed by the commander of the Taleban Bahini stated that Shamim Sikder, an associate professor of the Department of Sculpture of the Institute of the Fine Arts (IFA) […]
(Media Watch/IFEX) – Religious extremists identifying themselves as Talebans
(followers of the Islamic extremist group which rules Afghanistan)
reportedly threatened to kill sculptor Shamim Sikder. A letter signed by the
commander of the Taleban Bahini stated that Shamim Sikder, an associate
professor of the Department of Sculpture of the Institute of the Fine Arts
(IFA) of Dhaka University would be “tortured to death” if she failed to stop
sculpting. A clipping attached to the letter elaborating a verse from Islam’
s Holy book, the Koran, described sculpting as a sin. The letter is believed
to be prompted by Shamim Sikder’s creation of Swadhinatar Sangram (Struggle
for freedom), a sculpture depicting important events that occurred from 1952
until 1975, portraying the country’s political history. The Bangladeshi
prime mininster inaugurated the sixty-foot sculpture on the Dhaka University
campus on 7 March 1999.
Shamim Sikder initially ignored the threat but later informed the police and
the university authorities, after receiving repeated threats over the phone
by self-styled Talebans.
Dhaka University authorities have asked the police and other law enforcement
agencies to take all necessary action.
Previously, Talebans had attacked poet Sahamsur Rahman.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
other creative professionals and to take combined action against religious
extremists
Appeals To
Honourable Sheikh Hasina
Prime Minister of PR Bangladesh
Old Sangsad Bhavan, Tejgaon, Dhaka
Fax: +880 2 813 244 / 811 015 / 813 243Mohd. Nasim
Minister for Home affairs
Bangladesh secretariat, Building 8
Ground floor and 4th floor
Fax: +880 2 869 667 / 864 788
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.