Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Bangladesh has expressed its “grave concern” regarding a recent incident where about 60 members of the group were allegedly forced to leave their faith under pressure created by a group of anti-Ahmadiyya Maulvis under the banner of “Khatm-e-Nabuwat Markaz”.

The incident occurred at Rupsha in Khulna on Apr 16, the group said. A post under the banner of “Khatm-e-Nabuwat Markaz” claimed that about 185 “Qadiani” (Ahmadi) of 56 families have left their faith and became “Muslims.”

A video received by Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at showed that Mufti Shuaib Ibrahim, the leader of “Khatm-e-Nabuwat Markaz”, was speaking at a gathering and spreading false allegations against the Ahmadiyya group, it said in a press statement.

The anti-Ahmadiyya organisation created pressure on the Ahmadiyya families to leave their faith, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at claims.

It expressed deep concern over the incident, which it called a violation of basic human rights and against the Constitution of Bangladesh.

Islam does not permit the application of force on matters of faith and beliefs, the statement said.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at appealed to the government to look into the matter and ensure freedom of religion and belief of the citizens, including the Ahmadi Muslims.