An updated report documents the alarming rise in religious violence, systematic vandalism, arson, and looting targeting Sufi shrines, dargahs, and pilgrimage centers across Bangladesh between August 2024 and September 2025. Prepared and published by the Global Center for Democratic Governance (GCDG), the publication examines how hardline religious groups have attacked over 100 sacred sites, threatening the country’s long-standing religious harmony and syncretic spiritual identity.
Key figures and overview
As stated in the report:
- 100+ Shrines Destroyed: Over 100 Sufi shrines and sacred sites have faced attacks, vandalism, and arson with chilling regularity across the country.
- Widespread Incidents: Major attacks occurred across numerous districts, including Dhaka, Sirajganj, Gazipur, Noakhali, Sylhet, Comilla, Chittagong, Narayanganj, and Shariatpur.
- Casualties and Destruction: Multiple injuries, fatalities, and the desecration of graves—including digging up remains and demolishing structures with bulldozers and excavators—have been documented.
What the report covers
The report outlines various dimensions of the crisis through detailed thematic sections:
- Introduction and Escalating Extremism: Examines the post-August 5, 2024 political upheaval and the subsequent surge in religious violence targeting Sufi traditions and minority communities.
- Chronology of Attacks: Details month-by-month incidents of violence, forced closures of urs festivals, banning of musical and cultural events, and attacks on spiritual practitioners.
- State Response and Impunity: Highlights the lack of decisive legal action or preventive measures from the interim government, leaving extremists emboldened and devotees unprotected.
- Civil Society Protests: Documents human rights reports (such as those by MSF) and various human chains, press conferences, and protests organized by Sufi councils and devotees demanding justice and protection for cultural heritage.
Calls for action
The report calls for civil society, law enforcement, and spiritual leaders to unite against the wave of extremism, urging the authorities to take decisive intervention to halt the violence, arrest perpetrators, and preserve Bangladesh’s pluralistic soul.
Read the Full Report
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Report details
- Title: The Burning of Shrines: Bangladesh’s Spiritual & Cultural Soul Under Attack
- Prepared and published by: Global Center for Democratic Governance (GCDG)
- Reporting period: August 2024 – September 2025
- Published date: 16 September 2025
The findings, allegations and opinions in this report are those of its publisher.
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