Where atheism can get you killed

Many who had rallied the Shabagh protests were atheists. But many at the protest were not. As I photographed the crowds, I noted that some of the most enthusiastic were dressed with the classic skull cap, beard and flowing robes, signifying they were practicing Muslims.

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Regardless, the bloggers who had sparked the Shabagh protests were targeted. A list of some 80 people was circulated. The Amar Desh paper published lists of alleged atheists, including the real names of those writing under pen names and where they lived. They also published smear stories about the bloggers. For instance, the paper twisted bloggers’ criticisms of public spending on mosques to allege that these bloggers wanted to “destroy mosques,” says now exiled blogger Asif Mohiuddin.

The first name on the list to die was a young architect called Ahmed Rajib Haider, whose disfigured corpse was found near his house in February 2013. The previous month blogger Asif Mohiuddin was stabbed near-fatally and hospitalized. The Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, initially appeared to offer sympathy. But the political costs of associating with atheists became too much. Instead of support, Mohiuddin and several fellow bloggers were jailed, for “offending religious sensibilities.” Meanwhile, members of the largest faith in the country were free to shout as loud as they could that people who disbelieve should be hung.

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