Channel i Television
August 27, 2014, in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Assailants entered Faruqi's home in the East Rajabazar area of the capital, Dhaka, tied him up along with some guests and members of his family, and slit his throat, according to news reports.

Faruqi was the host of two television programs for the privately owned news and education Channel i Television: "Kafela," which explored sacred Islamic sites around the world, and "Shantir Pothe," on which he discussed Islam, according to reports.

A local journalist, who asked not to be identified for security reasons, told CPJ that Faruqi had been critical of opposition Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami and the Islamist group Hefajat-e-Islam in his commentaries on TV. Faruqi was also critical of superstitious practices on one of his programs, according to reports.

Faruqi, who was also an imam and business owner, also served as a leader of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, a religious organization, as well as the Islami Front, a political organization, both of which are known to be critical of Jamaat-e-Islami, according to news accounts. He often had visitors to his home to discuss religious matters and for religious instruction.

Biplob Kumar Sarker, deputy commissioner of the local police division, told journalists that Faruqi's "strong voice against superstitions in religion and stance against Jamaat-e-Islami might be the reason behind the murder."

Dhaka's Deputy Police Commissioner Masudur Rahman said police were investigating motives including links to Faruqi's TV programs and any personal animosity or business rivalries, the private news website BDNews24 reported. One of Faruqi's sons told the privately owned Prothom Alo that he wasn't aware of any personal feuds his father may have had.

In reports immediately following his murder, Faruqi's family and supporters said he had received death threats before.

Motive Unconfirmed: CPJ is investigating to determine whether the death was work-related.

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