Marjuk Ahmed Chowdhury,
Social activist and writer.

Bangladesh— a country whose soul is woven with the threads of faith, language, culture, and free thought. Islam came to this land with a message of peace, justice, and equality. And today, when colorful flags fly in the Pride Event in Dhaka city, many people ask—is this something against Islam?

But when viewed in the light of history, scripture, and humanity, Dhaka Pride is not against Islam. Rather, it is deeply connected to the true humanism of Islam.
Just as Islam teaches—"Keep the dignity of man intact," Dhaka Pride is also a struggle to protect that dignity.
The main message of Islam is Kindness, Dignity, and Diversity.
Islam is not a narrow doctrine. It is a universal way of life where justice, compassion, and humanity are the highest values.
Allah says in the Quran—
> We have created mankind in various forms, that they may know one another."
(Surah Al-Hujrat 49:13)

There is a great truth deep within this verse. Diversity is the will of Allah, not a mistake.
A society in which someone is born with a different thought or identity is also part of the Creator`s creation. Therefore, hating someone`s identity or feelings means denying the diversity of that Creator. And Islam teaches us to accept that diversity, because in the eyes of Allah, the best person is,
> Who is most pious (Surah Al-Hujrat 49:13)

Status is determined based on humanity, not on the basis of any identity, gender, or sexuality.

Dhaka Pride is a bold social message—the message that says, I am beautiful just the
way I am."
It is not just a event for sexuality, it is a struggle for self-respect, security, and recognition of existence.
Those who walk the streets of Pride do not deny any religion, they stand against the injustice and hatred of society.
They do not want to hurt anyone; they want society to understand that a person who lives by hiding his feelings is actually slowly being exhausted.
And how can Islam—a religion that teaches life, self-respect, and justice—oppose such human desires?
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) of Islam is the greatest teacher of humanity.
He said—
> "None of you is a true believer until he loves for others what he loves for himself."

If this sentence is truly followed by society, it becomes impossible to hate, shame or discriminate against anyone. The people of Pride also expect the same humanity where no one hates him, does not shame him, but sees him as an equal human being.
The Prophet (PBUH) never insulted any person because of his birth characteristics.
He treated everyone equally,
a blind person, a poor person, a woman, a slave.
His teachings teach us -"Judge a person not by his position or identity, but by his heart and deeds."
In today`s world, fundamentalism is the biggest threat to Islam. Fundamentalists are using religion as a tool for their fear, domination, and politics.

Where Islam says "learn," they say "don`t question."
Where Islam says "show mercy," they say "hate."
This fear-based interpretation of religion is not Islam; it is the opposite of Islam.
Just as Islam gave birth to free thought, so Pride teaches people to live freely with their own identity.

Dhaka Pride is a modern form of that free thought-where people accept their identity, live with dignity, not shame.
The Quran says-

> "There is no compulsion in religion."

(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:256)

This verse not only speaks of the freedom of religion, but also of the freedom of thought, identity, and self-recognition of mankind.
Allah has given man free will, so that he can take responsibility for his own life and feelings.

Dhaka Pride is also a call for that freedom where no one forces another, but rather says:
"Be as you are but let others be as they are."
This principle is completely consistent with Islamic justice.
Islam never teaches to break the soul of a man rather, it teaches him to live with dignity.
At the center of everything in Islam is Rahmat-meaning mercy, love, and kindness.
One of the names of Allah is "Ar-Rahman" (The Most Gracious) and "Ar-Rahim" (The Most Merciful).
If love is a quality of Allah, then denying that love means denying the quality of Allah.

At the heart of the Pride
event is that love, where people learn to recognize and empathize with others, not hate them.
No matter how love is expressed, if it is selfless, respectful, and humane, it is a gift from Allah.
The history of Bangladesh says-Islam came here through Sufism.
The Sufis taught-the closest person to Allah is the one who loves people.
In their court, there was no distinction of religion, gender, race, or class.
Today`s Pride carries the same spirit.
Here, one person does not despise another for their identity, but rather respects their courage. Muslim youth are also seen performing in Dhaka Pride holding colorful flags in their hands. They are not abandoning religion, but are bringing back the core spirit of religion to society.
The Quran says-

> "Allah created everything in the heavens and the earth in pairs." (Surah Yasin 36:36)

This pair does not mean just male and female, but all forms of diversity.
The world that Allah created is never monotonous rather, it is a variety of colors, forms, and hearts.
So if people deny that diversity, they are criticizing the work of the Creator.
The Dhaka Pride flag symbolizes that diversity which is a reflection of Allah`s creative power.
Each color of the rainbow says, "All people are different, but all are beautiful."
What is needed in today`s society is not conflict, but compassion.
If Islamic scholars, Pride organizers, and sociologists sit together and open the way for discussion then many misconceptions will be broken.
Because Islam has never closed the door to knowledge. The Prophet (PBUH) said-

> "Acquiring knowledge is obligatory for every Muslim.”

So research, discussion, and understanding about Pride, these are not anti-Islamic but rather part of Islamic knowledge.
A society that learns to ask questions never becomes blind.
Islam teaches us-human dignity is inalienable, love is sacred, and tolerance is a sign of faith.
Dhaka Pride teaches-you deserve respect just as you are.
These two messages complement each other.
Where Islam teaches the liberation of the soul, Pride teaches the liberation of self-identity.
Both call people towards the light-away from the darkness of ignorance, fear, and hatred.
No matter how much fundamentalism shouts, history knows-
The essence of Islam is love, and another name for love is humanity.
Dhaka Pride is a festival of that humanity, where the call to prayer from the mosque, the songs of the Baul, and the waving of colorful flags all together say-

> "Allah is beautiful, and He loves beauty of inclusivity"