Source: The Daily Star

http://www.thedailystar.net/2004/01/13/d4011301044.htm

On January 13, 2004 The Daily Star reported, "US Congressman Joseph Crowley yesterday warned that Bangladesh's image abroad might be tarnished due to recent incidents of religious intolerance in the country. 'The image of Bangladesh as a moderate Muslim country is very important, but it is increasingly coming under threat because intolerance has taken hold in the country,' he told The Daily Star. During a meeting with the congressman at Dhakeswari National Temple last night, minority leaders informed him that the country's minorities are persecuted, oppressed and marginalised in society...[Crowley] also told the minority leaders at the meeting that he had met with members of the Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad and those of Ahmadiyya community in New York, and added that the US will keep a watchful eye on the developments concerning the country's minorities. He said his visit to the 800-year old Hindu temple was symbolic of religious tolerance."