Two Christian families suffer extortion, beatings

05 August 2010

Johura Begum with her husband, Bablu Miah
Photo from Compass Direct

Two Christian women in Bangladesh's northern district of Jamalpur said village officials extorted relatively large sums of money from them -- and severely beat the husband of one of them -- for proclaiming Christ to Muslims. Johura Begum (42) of Pingna village said a member of the local union council, an area government representative and the father of a police officer threatened to harm her daughters if her family did not pay them 20,000 taka (approximately $290 CAD). The police officer whose father was allegedly involved in the extortion was investigating allegations that Christians had paid Muslims to be baptized by leaders of the Pentecostal Holiness Church of Bangladesh on May 26. According to Christian leaders, only six men of the 55 converts were baptized that day because of intimidation by protesting Muslims.

Villagers backed by a political leader of the ruling Bangladesh Awami League party also allegedly extorted 250,000 taka (approximately $3,660 CAD) from another Christian woman, 35-year-old Komola Begum of Doulatpur village. After the baptisms in the Brahmanputra River in Mymensingh district, local Muslims beat her husband to such an extent that he received three days of hospital treatment for his injuries. "My husband is a scapegoat -- he simply does business," she said. "But he was beaten for my faith and activities." Police forced one of those present at the baptism, 45-year-old Hafijur Rahman, to sign a statement accusing four of the Christian leaders of offering him and others money to attend. He reported that he is illiterate and did not know what he was signing, and that he was not offered any money to go to the baptism service. For three days after the baptisms, local villagers announced through bullhorns the punishment Christians would receive for their activities, chanting among other slogans, "We will peel off the skins of the Christians." (Source: Compass Direct)

Please pray for the Lord's protection upon these people. Pray for justice and favour from the authorities. Pray the Lord will heal and fully restore the husband of Komola Begum.

Go to the Bangladesh Country Report to learn more about the suffering Church in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh

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.