Two Health Workers Murdered in Bangladesh

Jesus Film in BangladeshTwo Christian men were hacked to death on July 29 after showing the "Jesus Film" in Dhopapara village, Faridpur district, about 150 kilometres southwest of Bangladesh's capital, Dhaka.

The two men, Tapan Kumar Roy, 27, and Liplal Marandi, 21, worked for Christian Life Bangladesh, a partner agency of Campus Crusade for Christ International. As part of their work in caring for the health needs of the people, they would show educational films on various health concerns, including mother/child care and AIDS prevention.  On the request of villagers, they would often show the "Jesus Film" also, which angered Muslim militants in the area.  The men had been threatened twice by an official from the local madrassa (Islamic school).

They were planning on leaving the area when they were brutally attacked in the early morning hours of July 29 by men brandishing knives and other sharp weapons. Reports indicate that the doors of neighbouring homes had been chained shut to prevent anyone from helping.  When neighbours finally managed to get to the men, they rushed them to the local medical centre. Roy died in transit and Marandi died as he arrived at the hospital.  At least two arrests have been made in connection with the murders.

Pray that those who heard the Gospel message from these men will continue to seek and will come to faith in Christ.  Pray peace and comfort for their families and friends.

For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Bangladesh, click here.

  • Current Ministry Projects

    The people of Bangladesh are hungry for the Word of God, and in response VOMC is helping to provide Bible training to a group of Christian men who have a strong desire to learn and grow.

    Project Fund: Equipping the Saints

  • Country Information

    Population
    167,184,465 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Bengali (99), other indigenous ethnic groups (1)

    Religions (%)
    Islam (91), Hinduism (8), other - includes Buddhism and Christianity (1) (2022 est)

    Leader
    President Mohammad Shahabuddin Chuppi (2023)

    Government type
    Parliamentary republic

    Legal system
    Based on English common law and Islamic law.

    Source: CIA World Factboo

  • Pray for Bangladesh

    As the Word of God goes forth in Bangladesh through the Christian radio and television broadcasts, may the "Good News" of the Gospel accomplish mighty things in the lives of all who hear it! Pray that the seeds sown in hearts will take root and bear healthy and lasting fruit, and that the spiritual leaders of this country will be ready and equipped to disciple the resulting influx of new believers.

Bangladesh News

  • Church Faces Ongoing Oppression
    Church before and after destruction. - Photo: AsiaNews
    The church in Suandrapara before and after the attacks.
    Photo: AsiaNews

    For several weeks, a small church in Suandrapara, a village of southeastern Bangladesh, has been facing threats from militant Buddhists who were attempting to coerce the Christians to return to Buddhism, even though many of the churchgoers had converted several years before. As a result of the oppression, most of the 50 members of the Bangladesh Tribal Baptist Church have been forced to stay away from their homes for fear of attack.

  • Rohingya Christians Deal with Aftermath of Attack
    One of the victims of the attack recovering in the hospital. - Photo: VOMC source
    One of the victims of the attack recovering in the hospital.
    Photo: VOMC source

    In last week's "Persecution & Prayer Alert," an urgent prayer request was issued for Christians who were recently attacked in a Rohingya refugee camp and the imminent forced marriage of a pastor's daughter to a Muslim man (read more). Since the previous report, more details have continued to come to light.

    The attack occurred in Kutapalong, the world's largest refugee camp. More than 20 Christian families were attacked with at least 12 people injured. A similar attack happened in May 2019 by the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army who claim to be fighting for the liberation of the Rohingya. Local police insist that the ARSA is not involved and have downplayed the number of injured.

  • Urgent Prayer Needed!
    Person praying

    Please immediately stop and pray for this critical need right now as it's a very time-sensitive situation and in the process of happening as you read this.... The Voice of the Martyrs Canada has just received news that three Christian families were attacked in a Rohingya refugee camp this past week.

     

  • Christian Convert Released from Prison

    Sisir Islam - Photo: VOM US www.icommittopray.com
    Photo: VOM USA

    A Christian convert from Islam, who had been imprisoned for more than two years, was released on bail recently. Sisir Islam became a believer in 2012 and immediately began sharing Jesus with others in his community, leading 17 friends to Christ.

    On September 23rd, 2014, after returning home from a VOM-supported training centre, Sisir was charged with the murder of a local business man. He later learned that Muslim leaders in his village had accused him of the murder as retribution for his conversion to Christianity.