As the number of Christians from a Muslim background is growing, they face restrictions and difficulties with radical Islamic groups, local religious leaders, and families. There are fatwas implemented all over the country, especially in rural areas, and demands to introduce Sharia (Islamic law) to show the country belongs to the “House of Islam”. Local government officials create various obstacles for Christians, but the rise in attacks claimed by the Islamic State group has been countered by security forces.
Bangladesh orders removal of ‘jihad’ from madrassa textbooks
In a move to curb the growth of Islamic extremism in Bangladesh, the government has ordered chapters on jihad to be removed from next year’s textbooks for madrasas (Islamic schools), reports UCAN. According to the news agency, the National Committee on Militancy Resistance and Prevention, which advised the government on […]
Bangladesh church stabbing ‘not’ Islamic extremism
Police have brushed aside accusations that Islamic extremism is behind the stabbing of a church security guard in northern Bangladesh, saying the guard had a “personal feud” with his attackers, reports UCANews. Local Catholics, however, have refused to accept the police’s explanation for the incident at St Rita’s church in Mothurapur, […]
Bangladesh a ‘dangerous place for minorities’
There were five times more incidences of violent abuse against religious and ethnic minorities in Bangladesh in 2016 than in 2015, according to a report from the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist & Christian Unity Council – the country’s largest minority rights forum. “Our prime minister and political leaders say that they […]
Report: ‘Bangladesh failing minorities targeted by Islamic extremists’
The wife, mother and children (L-R Nasima Akhter, Rahul Amin Azad, Esimon Begum, Ambia Begum, Hasina Begum) of murdered Christian convert Hossain Ali, hold his photograph. On 22 March, Ali was taking his usual morning walk when he was attacked and died. ISIS claimed responsibility for his murder. He converted […]
Nun editor flees Bangladesh after Islamist threats
A Bangladeshi Catholic nun has fled to the United States, following repeated threats and harassment, reports . Sister Rosaline Costa, 67, followed three other members of her family in fleeing the country, after being targeted for her work as Executive Director of Hotline Human Rights Trust, and Editor of the […]
Bangladesh Muslim clerics: terrorism ‘un-Islamic’
Bangladesh is holding its breath after 100,000 Bangladeshi Muslim clerics signed a “fatwa” stating terrorism and militancy are “un-Islamic”, following a spate of violent attacks. Earlier this month, the attacks on religious minorities, secularists and atheists had led to the detention of more than 11,000 suspects, according to national police. […]
Another Christian killed in Bangladesh
A Christian grocer has been killed in Bangladesh, the latest in a string of violent attacks against minorities that have left more than 40 dead in the last three years. IS claimed responsibility for the murder through its Amaq news agency, according to US-based SITE monitoring, saying it was “part […]
Bangladesh bomb attacks on Christian home
Two people were injured during bomb attacks on a Christian home in Bangladesh on Tuesday (3 May), the latest in a string of violent attacks against minorities. Alam Mondol, 45, was hospitalised after the blasts at his home in a mainly Christian hamlet in Bangladesh’s western Chudanga area, . Another […]
Another Bangladeshi Christian leader murdered
A Muslim convert to Christianity who was an active evangelist in northern Bangladesh has been hacked to death by suspected Islamists, local sources told World Watch Monitor. Hossain Ali, 65, a father of three, was killed on 22 March in Kurigram when he was out walking. Three assailants on motorbikes attacked […]
Christian murders continue in Bangladesh
The killing of a 75-year-old pastor on 6 January by Islamic extremists is the latest in a series of attacks on Bangladesh minorities. A group claiming to be the Islamic State claimed responsibility for Pastor Khaza Somiruddin’s murder, in addition to a series of , death threats and in the […]