Islamic fundamentalists stabbed my dad to death: iLIVE

01 March 2015 - 12:58 By Trisha Ahmed
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Avijit Roy. File photo
Avijit Roy. File photo
Image: Avijit Roy via Facebook and the IHEU

Trisha Ahmed, the daughter of slain atheist blogger and Bengali writer Avijit Roy is urging everyone to share his story in this letter that first appeared on Facebook, and was then republished at the International Humanist and Ethical Union.

My dad was a prominent Bengali writer, most famous for his books about science and atheism.

He and my mom went to Bangladesh last week to publicise his books at Bangladesh’s national book fair.

Islamic fundamentalists stabbed my dad to death. My mom was severely wounded from the attack and is still in the hospital. His death is headline news in Bangladesh.

The reason I’m sharing this is less for me and more for my dad. He was a firm believer in voicing your opinion to better the world.

He and my mom started dating when I was six years old. In the twelve years that followed, he became my friend, my hero, my most trusted confidante, my dance partner (even though we’re both terrible dancers), and my father.

Not once did he tell me to simmer down or be more polite; he taught me to be informed, bold, and unafraid.

To say that I’m furious or heartbroken would be an understatement. But as fucked up as the world is, there’s never a reason to stop fighting to make it better.

I’ll carry the lessons he taught me and the love he gave me forever. I love you so much, Dad. Thank you for every single thing

What would help me the most right now is if everyone (even people I’ve never met) could share his story.

His story should be heard in the US because Bangladesh is powerless; it’s corrupt, there is no law and order, and I highly doubt that any justice will come to the murderers. I want his story to be on US headline news, not only Bangladesh’s.

If you could just do all you can to spread word of what’s happened, I would appreciate it so so much. Inform your schools, your communities, write all that you can. Please don’t allow my dad to die in vain.

Please use your influence to help bring some sort of justice to the atrocious acts that have been committed against my parents.

‪#‎WordsCannotBeKilled‬

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