Struggling Insecurity: Ahmadiyya Community in Bangladesh

Abstract

Human security is a fundamental approach, which focuses on ensuring security for the individual in respect of socio-economic status, creed and ethnic background. Religious difference serves as a source of potential conflict in every heterogeneous society that violates human security and human rights. The study examined how religious identity jeopardised human security and human rights in relation to the Ahmadiyya community in Bangladesh. A qualitative method was applied to collect data using in-depth interviews, case studies, informal group discussions and participant observations. The study revealed that Ahmadiyya could hardly escape from vicious attacks and harassments because of their religious identity. The study also found that the prevailing state of insecurity violated the human rights of the community with regard to different social aspects. Under harsh circumstances, many Ahmadiyya left their residences to save their lives from aggressive persecutions from anti-Ahmadiyya sections. Thus, the violent experiences of the Ahmadiyya discouraged them from contributing to socio-economic growth of the nation.