Abandoned, attacked and accused – stories of persecution in Bangladesh

Despite Bangladesh falling nine places to number 33 in the latest World Watch List, the persecution of Christians in the country remains very high, as these four recent incidents reiterate. Please pray for those affected, and for our wider family in Bangladesh, as they encounter immense pressures for their faith.

New mother abandoned by husband 

A Christian woman was abandoned by her husband just a week after giving birth to their first child.  

Sabina* became a Christian three years ago, but the seeds of faith were planted in 2021, when she worked for a Christian organisation whilst studying for her degree. She enjoyed working with believers and the opportunity to learn about Jesus.  

During this period, Sabina met a Muslim man and got married. They later moved close to the capital, Dhaka, where he opened a tea business. 

A local evangelist often visited the tea stall to share the gospel. Whilst her husband rejected it, Sabina grew more interested, particularly having already been introduced to Christianity. Eventually, she gave her life to Jesus.  

Despite her husband’s objections, Sabina attended church secretly, even as she knew the consequences could become graver – as has since happened. Sabina is now a single mother and without work, and she’s been unable to contact her husband.  

“I am living with my brother and mother, who are not believers,” she says. “My brother’s financial situation is not good, and I have become an added burden to them. I do not know how I will survive with my child alone, or how I will continue my faith in Christ.” 

Open Doors local partners are supporting Sabina with prayer and emergency food support for her and her baby. 

• Why did Bangladesh drop nine places in the World Watch List? 

Attack shakes Christian community  

In Dhaka, a priest was beaten and his valuables stolen when a group attacked St Eugene de Mazenod Catholic Church. The incident has greatly shaken the local Christian community.  

“I strongly condemn the robbery,” said a local partner. “Incidents like this raise concern among believers, especially as a minority, as they increase the sense of vulnerability in places of worship. In many cases, Christians feel they are more easily targeted because they are a minority and are seen as less able to respond or defend themselves. We hope that a proper investigation will take place and that those responsible will be brought to justice.” 

The priest is in a stable condition and receiving treatment. Local authorities have begun an investigation.  

Muslim leaders target evangelist 

In northern Bangladesh, a family is being pressured to leave their home by a local religious teacher who is actively targeting converts in the area.  

Mizan*, an evangelist, lives with his wife and son, and he has a daughter who works for a Christian organisation in Dhaka. Despite being the only Christians in their village, the family have bravely stood firm despite hostility from locals and grown stronger in their faith. 

A few months ago, an Islamic teacher with fundamentalist views started working at a local primary school. He’s since gathered a group to approach converts to Christianity and push them to renounce their faith. Where persuasion fails, he intensifies pressure by gathering people to oppose them publicly.  

“I told him, with all due respect, I know what I have done, and I’m certain that I have not done anything wrong,” Mizan says, recalling the moment when the man visited his home with another Muslim teacher. The two men were angry, saying Mizan was disturbing the peace of the village and that they will enlist other Muslim leaders unless he renounces his faith or leaves the village.  

Mizan and his family are not fearful, as they’ve faced greater challenges before. However, local evangelists are concerned. “This could be the beginning of a series of persecution incidents,” shared a local partner. 

Mob attack at market 

Also in northern Bangladesh, a man lost his tea stall after a mob of 500-700 people tied and publicly humiliated him because he’d converted to Christianity, with local leaders saying that no Christian could have a business in the village.  

​Atahar had given goods on credit to many local villagers, but they agreed to return only one-fourth of the amount owed to him. Much of his stock was taken by the mob at half the actual price, and some items were looted. 

“I lost my source of income, and I do not know how I will feed my family moving forward, but I do not feel any guilt or regret,” Atahar says. “I know what I have found in Christ, and I want to be used for Him.” 

The attack was filmed and shared widely on Facebook – which, remarkably, Atahar viewed positively. “What I could not do, they did for me,” he says. “They spread it to the whole world that I am a believer. Now everyone knows that I am a believer. This is how God works, and His name will be known to all.” 

However, in the footage, the perpetrators falsely claim that Atahar and a local evangelist have been converting people to Christianity under false pretences. “We do not convert anyone with false hope or by lying,” Atahar insists. 

Two other Christian men were also forced from the market – Azal sold local snacks and Azibar sold vegetables. An evangelist was also stopped from his activities.  

​The four believers are part of a house church that numbers 15 members. Since their conversion a decade ago, local Muslims have pressured them in many ways to renounce their faith and return to Islam, but they have remained faithful to Jesus. 

An Open Doors local partner is standing with the group in prayer and seeking practical ways to support them.  

​“I believe my opportunities will increase,” Atahar says. “I no longer have the means to continue my business, but I can do whatever comes and be used for Him, and also spend more time with Him.”  

*Names changed for security reasons