Bangladesh Pastor in hiding due to death threats
Pastor Rafiqul, a believer from a Muslim background, has been in hiding for over a week now for fear of being killed. Rafiqul lives in the Northern part of Bangladesh. He has been serving as a local pastor and facilitating an Adult Literacy centre in his village.
Over the last couple of weeks, Rafiqul received several death threats from an extremist group called Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB). They threatened to kill Rafiqul and though they haven’t done it, the threat shook Rafiqul to the core.
The death threats came after a court verdict on June 23, 2022, concerning a murder case that took place on March 22, 2016.
On June 23, 2022, a court in Kurigram, northern Bangladesh, sentenced six accused JMBs to death for the murder of a freedom fighter, and Muslim background believer, Hossain Ali. Among the six accused, two are from brother Rafiqul’s neighbouring village.
With both brother Rafiqul and Hossian Ali being linked as Muslim background believers, family members of the accused and members of the JMB suspect Rafiqul provided information about the murder to the police. Because of this suspicion, they have threatened to kill Rafiqul.
“Rafiqul must die!” cried members of JMB.
Rafiqul is in hiding but his family, ten of them, are still in their family home and they are at risk. Members of the JMB are looking for Rafiqul every day, lurking around his home, awaiting his return.
“I worry for my family’s safety. I don’t know what to do,” said Rafiqul.
Open Doors local partners are praying for Rafiqul and looking into ways to keep him and his family safe.
Representative image used
Please Pray
- Pray for the safety and protection of Rafiqul and his family.
- Pray for the family who is giving shelter to Rafiqul. Let them stay safe in this situation, and thank God for their kindness.
- Pray for the people who are persecuting Rafiqul’s family. Pray for God to open the eyes of their hearts to understand and realize their wrongdoing and would not persecute others.
