Bangladesh

Key Facts:
Leader: Fakhruddin Ahmed
Population: 147 million (0.7% Christian)
Majority Religion: Islam
Type of Government: Parliamentary democracy

One of the world's most densely populated countries; half the population are chronically poor, more than half are under the age of 25.

2007 has seen a political crisis: January elections were cancelled and a state of emergency declared.

Officially there is freedom of religion, but the Hindu and Christian minorities are often subject to pressure from Islamists: for example, one convert from Islam was severely beaten, and the police were reluctant to intervene.

Prayer

• Pray for political stability and a new government that will uphold religious freedom.
• Remember those Christians who face violence and threats of violence. Many have been to Open Doors' seminars to help them stand strong in the storm
• Pray that Bibles and Christian literature going to church leaders will encourage and strengthen them.