Militant Islamists threaten us

Without reading or understanding, everyone becomes a scholar of Islam! Yet they threaten us and even want to kill us

Recently, alongside Bangladesh, many extremist “believer brothers” from West Bengal have been engaging in abuse, threats, and even death threats. They all identify themselves collectively as a single “Muslim nation.” Even though Middle Eastern Muslims often consider them insignificant, they still see themselves as part of that global identity.

I am not aware of any other religion in today’s world, apart from Islam, where followers issue death threats for criticism of their ideology in this way. And Muslim extremists do not stop at threats—they act on them.

These ignorant believers do not feel the need to verify any information or sources. According to Islamic rulings, child marriages in Iraq where young girls are married to old Arab men, the banning of women’s education in Afghanistan, inhumane detention of women in Saudi Arabia for defying family decisions, the death of an 8-year-old girl in Yemen due to uterine rupture on her wedding night, or in Iran where a 13-year-old adopted daughter can be married to her adoptive father—when such real incidents are mentioned, they immediately deny them.

In 2014, ISIS carried out genocide against the Yazidis in Sinjar, Iraq. They killed thousands of men and elderly women and created over 80 mass graves. Children and older women, considered unsuitable for sexual slavery or market demand, were buried alive. Over 5,000 Yazidis were killed, and more than 6,800 women and children were abducted and forced into sexual slavery, with many being sold. This has been recognized as genocide by the United Nations and multiple countries. There are countless reports and news links—it is a fact. Yet when I posted about it two days ago, these believer brothers insulted my parents and denied the facts. Not a single one condemned ISIS.

In countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Pakistan, under “diyat” (blood money) laws, a woman’s life is valued at half that of a man (based on Sharia). Although Iran has made some reforms, fundamental inequality remains. When I highlight such discrimination using cases like Amanah, who lost her eyesight in an acid attack, they deny these facts as well.

Whenever these facts, reports, and references are presented, they demand sources, yet they could easily verify them through a simple search. Today, verification is not difficult. But due to lack of education and skills, many of these believers are unable to do so.

Two days ago, when I shared the Yazidi genocide by ISIS, they first denied it, then claimed “ISIS was created by Israel and America,” yet they were unable to provide any evidence for that claim. They also never condemn the actions of extremist groups. In fact, some seem pleased by these acts. That is why none of them protest against extremist violence. Yet they routinely mobilize and cause unrest over trivial issues.

Another common behavior in comments is that they bring up irrelevant criticisms about Hinduism, such as multiple gods or polygamy. No matter what topic is discussed, they bring this up. They assume that anyone criticizing Islam must be Hindu. They lack the understanding that a person can exist without any religion. In reality, Hindu society has undergone many reforms such as banning sati, allowing widow remarriage, and restricting child marriage. Polygamy is illegal among Hindus in India, whereas it is still permitted among Muslims. Hindus have largely shifted toward science-based education, moving away from backward systems like madrasa-style education. Many people find it absurd that some still advocate for polygamy as if it were a major right.

These believers speak as if you and I are nobody. No matter how educated you are—whether you graduated from top international institutions or received dean’s honors—to someone like Mokhles, a tea-stall owner from a village, you are still “ignorant.” There is an illusion within them that they possess all knowledge. Religious preachers reinforce this idea by claiming that all science originates from the Quran. That is why someone like Mokhles can confidently say NASA scientists derive their knowledge from the Quran. Even people who have never visited Dhaka claim expertise about Europe and America.

Islamic teachings (Quran and Hadith) present Islam as the only true religion. Verses like “Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will not be accepted from him” (Surah Al-Imran 3:85) create a sense of religious superiority. The Arabic language, the Quran being in Arabic, and the Prophet being Arab also contribute to an Arab-centered sense of superiority. Concepts like “Islam is victorious, never defeated” reinforce this superiority complex. Even though many believers lag behind in education, science, and knowledge, they consider themselves superior due to these beliefs. Statements like Dr. Shahidullah’s—“one who does not know the Quran and Hadith is ignorant”—further strengthen this mindset.

This superiority mindset prevents self-criticism. As a result, addressing internal issues (child marriage, women’s rights, extremism, madrasa education, illiteracy, intolerance, polygamy) becomes difficult. It also hinders peaceful coexistence with people of other beliefs and reduces tolerance. Consequently, Islamophobia is rising in Europe and America, and public opinion is turning against them. In their own countries, lack of science, knowledge, and human rights holds back development. While dreaming of a caliphate, they fail to properly manage their own countries—that is the harsh reality. Unless they break free from this illusion driven by false glorification, progress will be impossible.

Engage in self-criticism and reform yourselves. Do not try to cover your own flaws by pointing to the mythologies of other religions. Reflect critically on the mythological elements within your own scriptures. Be sensible—embrace education, science, and humanity.