Story Tag: Bangladesh

Persecuted Rohingya believers attacked

We have an urgent prayer request. Our partners in Bangladesh are asking for prayer following an attack on a group of Rohingya believers from a Muslim background. Eighteen homes and a house church building have been destroyed, and believers have been hospitalized and kidnapped.

The attack happened early on Monday, 27th January. At least six believers were hospitalized following the attack. It is also believed that three Christian men are being held captive. Unconfirmed reports mention that one or more of these men may have been killed for their faith in Jesus.

The attack was carried out by a mob of hundreds of people who looted the Christian houses and attacked believers. The mob was most likely connected to the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), a Muslim insurgent group that claims to be secular and has not pledged allegiance to any foreign Islamists groups such as Al-Qaeda or Islamic State.

The police have been pressured to investigate and work for the release of the kidnapped Christians. However, the police have not taken any serious action so far, because the believers need to file a case before any action can be initiated. This is difficult as the believers are Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and don’t have citizenship.

Bangladesh is number 38 on the 2020 World Watch List. Christians are a minority in this Muslim majority nation. The Rohingya are an ethnic minority who have fled from Myanmar. Persecuted and forsaken by their own country, the small number of Christians among them are doubly persecuted for their faith.

Please pray

  • That God will protect the lives of the kidnapped Christians, that He will give them strength to endure and that they will be able to return home soon
  • That their family members will find strength, trust, and courage in the Lord
  • That the police will step in and that justice will prevail
  • For the spiritual and physical recovery of the other victims of the attacks and the entire Christian Rohingya community – they are living in great fear and insecurity.

Christmas in Bangladesh

A family celebrates Christmas for the first time in Bangladesh

While most Christians in Bangladesh can celebrate Christmas with some freedom, it is a different story for Christians from a Muslim background and believers of other religious backgrounds. They cannot commemorate Jesus’ birth openly or in large groups because doing so will incite threats from the community and Islamists.

Worse still, many new converts live in scattered places and rarely communicate with open churches and other believers, further deterring them from getting together in this special season. The children in particular feel the disappointment. “We’ve heard stories where children of [believers from a Muslim background] started resenting their parents because they could not celebrate Christian festivities like other kids [from open churches],” one Open Doors staffer says. “It’s quite heartbreaking.” And so, since 2015, Open Doors has been organizing a Christmas celebration for these families so that they, too, can feel the joy of Christmas and appreciate God’s love even more.

Last year’s celebration saw 120 families participating, totaling up to 430 believers from 14 church denominations. The event was filled with Christmas songs, stories of Jesus’ birth, Scripture studying, drama, games, and a grand feast of local treats and a special cake.

True meaning of Christmas

Tipu Sultan, one of the participants, expressed his happiness from joining the festivities. “Through this event, I was able to understand the meaning of our Lord’s birth,” he says. “In fact, for the first time in our lives, we were able to celebrate Christmas!” Tipu’s sentiment is shared by others, too. Jahid Ahmed, for instance, especially treasures the warm fellowship that he seldom experiences. “My family and I truly enjoyed the time we spent with so many other believers,” he says. “Together we learned the true meaning of Christmas.” All this was made possible because of the prayers and support for the marginalized believers in Bangladesh from Open Doors supporters around the world.

Our Gifts of Hope are delivering hope to believers living in countries opposed to the Gospel. Join us in sending them hope and assurance that they are not alone!

YOUR YEAR-END GIFT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER.

Persecution is growing, and so are the needs of persecuted believers. More Christians need Bibles, discipleship, trauma counselling, and relief aid as they face violence, displacement, and loss. 

The Canada Post strikes slowed the arrival of gifts during this critical time of year. Will you help?

Your support will empower persecuted believers through Bibles, training, relief aid, trauma counselling, and more. 

Give a Year-end gift

Your year-end gift is more important than ever.

Persecution is growing, and so are the needs of persecuted believers. More Christians need Bibles, discipleship, trauma counselling, and relief aid as they face violence, displacement, and loss. 

The Canada Post strikes slowed the arrival of gifts during this critical time of year. Will you help?

Your support will empower persecuted believers through Bibles, training, relief aid, trauma counselling, and more. 

Give a year-end gift