Light amidst the darkness
It is amazing. He was just 20 years old, so close to us, born and brought up in affluence, amidst the hustle and bustle of this land. Yet this boy remained staunch in the face of hatred, brutality and venom, staring fearlessly into the face of death, proving with pride that humanity stands above all.
He was more than just a silver lining to a dark cloud. This bright star lit up one of the blackest nights of our nation’s history. Faraaz Ayaz Hossain gave his life in an unspoken message of true humanity. This was a message of morality, sincerity, of remaining steadfast against injustice. This is a message that binds together humanity in love and harmony, above all differences in caste, creed and religion. He has filled the world with a glow from the eternal flame of his sacrifice.
The tragedy of 1 July at Gulshan’s Holey Artisan Bakery remains a most sorrowful incident for the Bengali nation, a saddest chapter in the history of the country. Hospitality is second nature to the Bengali nation and the inherent message of Islam is peace. Yet it is in this backdrop that this tragic tale was woven.
There is a saying in the diplomatic circles that foreigners in Dhaka cry twice. The first time they cry out of anxiety about where they have come, to this place of traffic jams and political unrest. To floods and natural disaster, the lack of entertainment, recreation, proper communications. Then they cry for the second time when they are to leave. They miss the warm hospitality of Bengalis. The Bengalis open their arms with all sincerity to foreign friends. The doors of their home are ever open to these guests from far and wide. They are only too eager to help these foreign friends in any way they can. And in the true spirit of Islam, all differences fade and they stand as one.
But it was as if to destroy this integral positive spirit of the Bengalis that this destruction was wrought. According to the mouthpiece of the Middle-East based militant outfit Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant widely known as IS, this was inspired by the ideology of the international group. These misguided conspirators take up a path of destruction in protest against the injustices and wrongdoing against Muslims worldwide. This feeling is nurtured in hatred, intolerance, and fierce vengeance. This is cruel and unfruitful, hateful, despicable and totally unacceptable.
It goes way back to the days when recruitment began to the Taliban forces created by America’s CIA to counter the “non-believing” Soviets. And now Iraq and Syria is a pile of rubble due to the unpardonable crimes of the Bush-Blair nexus. Most unfortunately all this has taken the manifestation of the international terrorist group called IS. After the Gulshan tragedy, three international yet Bengali militants sent a message from the warring Raqqa zone in Syria, lauding what had happened and threatening there was more to come. Then Sholakia happened.
What intolerable arrogance, what beastly mentality! How were they brainwashed thus? These three as well as those who had committed the massacre in Gulshan, were from good educational backgrounds. Many of them were from affluent families. One of the boys who delivered the threat on video came from a cultured and educated family, was a singer and even a participant in a popular TV music contest. His father was once the home secretary of this government, later to become an election commissioner after retirement. One of the boys was the son of a ruling Awami League party leader. On television the father spoke of this spotless family background. The bottom line is: the international terrorist group has spread its net over all tiers of the society.
It is now imperative to give up the propensity to repress the opposition and build an all-party unity against terrorism. The mud-slinging blame game must end. Instead, the sacrificial spirit of Faraaz must be taken up as indomitable ideology against terrorism.
Even in this tragic hour which has left us speechless, we can hold our heads high and point to Faraaz as our pride, our honour. He is the source of hope. The land which has given birth to a young man with humanitarian values like that of Faraaz, will never be the home to terrorism, militancy, communalism and narrow ideology.
An endless stream of people teemed at Faraaz’s qul khwani , offering their prayers for the departed soul. There were people from all social strata, professions and parties, filled with deep sorrow. Yet this grief had united them in firm commitment. Italian Ambassador Mario Palma was present at this memorial for Faraaz. Nine Italian nationals had also been killed with the others at this carnage. The emotion-laden ambassador said: “The tragedy had pulled all of us together. This young man willingly gave his life against terrorism. Many Italian nationals working in Bangladesh had also given their lives. We stand united against terrorism.” This mindset was born out of Faraaz’s martyrdom.
World history is replete with tales of sacrifice, the heroic deeds of great men. But the example set by Faraaz is unprecedented. He could have easily been spared from the hands of these monsters, but he refused to abandon his friends. It went against his high ideals. He held his head high in the spirit of humanity, ethics, and moral values, willingly accepting death. This was not a spur-of-the-moment deed, but a well-deliberated decision of the brave and bold Faraaz. What a heroic lad!
Faraaz is a flash of light in the dark that has engulfed Bangladesh. His martyrdom will inspire us to give up all internal conflicts and inspire us to stand firm and united in our struggle against terrorism. The call for national unity against militancy and terrorism will be a success. This is our commitment, the aspiration of the nation. Faraaz’s sacrifice must not go in vain.