Bangladesh

All Christians face threats

As the number of Christians converting from Islam is growing in Bangladesh, converts face restrictions and obstacles from radical Islamic groups, local religious leaders, and their families. The government increasingly gives in to the demands of local Islamic groups that monitor minorities, especially converts. These groups are instilling fear, and many are inspired by international Islamic groups like Islamic State (IS). Fatwas—specific interpretations of Islamic law—dictate daily life all over the country, especially in rural areas.

There is also a strong push to implement Sharia law (Islamic law) to show that the country belongs to the “House of Islam,” and local government officials continue to hinder religious expression for Christians. Until now, these demands were not met.

How Christians are suffering

Those who convert to Christianity from Islam, Hinduism or any other ethnic, tribal background face the most severe Christian persecution in Bangladesh. They often gather in small house churches or secret groups due to fear of attack. Both newer evangelistic churches and historical churches like the Roman Catholic Church are increasingly faced with attacks and death threats.

Tribal Christians like the Santal are twice as vulnerable because they face both ethnic and religious discrimination. Christians among the Muslim Rohingya people group, who fled to Bangladesh from Myanmar, are facing harassment and strong pressure from their community as well.

Examples

One event that illustrates the vulnerability of Christians, especially women, occurred in July 2018. A young woman named Shirpa was attacked by three young radical Muslim men. They forced their way into her home where they tried to rape her, verbally attacked her and threatened to kill her and another person in the home if she did not take off her clothes. The assailants took video of her naked and then threatened they would post it on Facebook if she ever told anyone about the incident. The next day, her family reported the incident to police who didn’t pursue the case. These cases often go unreported due to shame issues. Tragically, Shirpa killed herself leaving behind a husband and two children.

In 2018, there were six attacks on churches or sites where Christians gather. Several Christians were injured in an attack that took place at a church in Chittagong Hill Tracts in September 2018.