Christians cancel Christmas celebrations following threats

Members of seven churches were prevented from gathering for Christmas worship in Khagrachari district, Bangladesh, following threats from a regional Buddhist political party. On December 19, members of The United People's Democratic Front (UPDF) called a meeting of 50 Buddhists and seven Christians, including a pastor. They threatened the Christians, saying that they would be in "great trouble if they celebrated Christmas in the village and or participate in any other Christian activities." The group members also warned the pastor not to take care of the congregation and ordered him to go back to his previous religion, Buddhism. Members of the UPDF also threatened Buddhist villagers, playing them off against the Christians by telling them that if the Christians celebrated their festival, non-Christian villagers would also be in trouble. Christian converts in the village have faced serious opposition in recent years. While many of them have stood strong in their faith, some have returned to Buddhism under compulsion.

Pray these believers will trust in Christ, relying on the grace of their Saviour amid opposition. Pray the Lord will guard the hearts of believers facing pressure to deny Him. Pray Christians in Bangladesh will be strong witnesses for Jesus and that demonstrations of His love will help to draw others to faith in Him.

You can find out more about Christians suffering for their faith in Bangladesh at the country report at the Bangladesh Country Report.

  • 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.

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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.

    Read more...

  • 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.

    Read more...

  • 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.

     

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  • 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.

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Bangladesh Videos

 
Bangladesh: Christians Face Pressure Within Their Muslim-Majority Communities
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