Unwrap hope for Robin this Christmas

Robin (11) in Bangladesh has seen his life torn apart by persecution. His church was attacked by a mob, he is rejected at school, and even his father disowned him – all because he follows Jesus. You can unwrap hope for Robin.

For 11-year-old Robin*, Christmas is a bright light in a world that often feels dark and lonely. It’s a day to unwrap gifts and gather at church, full of excitement. It’s a day of cutting a cake together and singing carols with other children. It’s a day of knowing you belong… and Robin doesn’t get many of those.

In Bangladesh, Robin’s faith marks him out. At school and around the village, people don’t even use his name: they simply call him ‘the Christian’.

Rejected by classmates

Recently, when a classmate sat next to Robin at school, another boy taunted him: “Why are you sitting with him? He’s not a Muslim, he’s a Christian.” It was as though an invisible wall formed around Robin. Nobody would sit next to him. Other children wouldn’t play with him.

“I want to play too, but I can’t even ask them out of fear,” says Robin softly. “I just sit there and feel very lonely. I feel sad when they treat me like this. But I will never do the same to them. As a believer, we should not hurt others, even if they hurt us.”

A hateful campaign

Robin has often felt rejected by other children at school – but persecution took on a terrifying new dimension last year. After Bangladesh’s prime minister was ousted in August 2024, political disorder erupted across the country. The chaos emboldened some radical Muslims to take advantage of the situation and increase their targeting of religious minorities – including Christian families like Robin’s.

A local extremist group started waging a hateful campaign against Robin’s family and ten other local Christian families. The group printed and distributed leaflets, accusing the families – by name – of trying to coerce Muslims to convert to Christianity. It put them in incredible danger.

Moly’s conversion

Like many of Bangladesh’s small Christian population, Robin’s family had converted from Islam. Moly*, his mum, asked to borrow her neighbour’s Kitabul Mukaddas – the Bible – and read Matthew 7:7: “Ask, and it will be given to you.” Moly was amazed that a God would listen to her prayers. It was the start of a journey that led to her husband, Jubayer*, and Robin also deciding to follow Jesus.

That made the extremist Muslims in their community very angry. As converts, they were particularly vulnerable – even young Robin.

“Persecution can be influenced by religious beliefs and teachings, with some Muslim leaders portraying Christians as enemies and promoting the idea of establishing a 100% Islamic state,” explains Rajon*, a local Open Doors partner.

“False teachings and misinformation about Christianity perpetuated by some Muslims contribute to a culture of hatred and discrimination against non-Muslims. This agenda includes converting Christians back to Islam and targeting church leaders and families to instil fear and pressure them to renounce their faith.”

Church destroyed

The accusations in the pamphlets worked like a poison through the agitated community. One morning, about 11am, a furious mob of 40-50 people descended on their small house church.

“We had a church, our meeting house,” remembers Robin. “That’s where we all used to worship. Then some of the local imams [Muslim religious leaders] and some others came and destroyed our church. They were yelling, ‘You are Christians!’ and ‘Christians can’t live here!’ They came to kill us.”

Thankfully, the believers were warned and managed to flee just in time. When the mob found the house church empty, they turned their anger upon the building and the Bibles they found inside.

“They started setting things on fire,” says Robin. “They burned the Kitabul Mokaddas. They burned everything to the ground. They completely destroyed it.”

An ultimatum

The attack had a long-lasting impact on Robin’s family. His dad, Jubayer, decided to return to Islam. He faced intense pressure from his family and was deeply shaken by the mob’s attack.

“My grandparents came and took my father away,” says Robin. That’s how he understands it. “I feel bad that he left. I’m not angry, but I feel sad. I miss my father, but I have my mother who takes care of me.”

Jubayer gave Moly an ultimatum: renounce Christianity and return to Islam, or he would divorce her. Giving up her new faith would have made their lives easier, at least on the surface. But Moly knew she and Robin could never turn their backs on Jesus. And so, as Jubayer had threatened, he divorced Moly – leaving her and their son with nothing.

Today, Moly’s brother – a day-labourer – carries the burden of providing for them all. Their financial situation is desperate, and Robin’s education has been at risk because of the cost of school fees. His father has refused to provide any financial help, as long as Moly and Robin remain committed to Jesus.

Robin is only young, and yet he has experienced persecution in multiple ways. Rejection by children who should be friends. Violence from adults who should be gentle. Poverty, because the man who should provide for him has, instead, abandoned him.

A treasured Bible

Moly and Robin still face pressure from Jubayer’s family, as well as the threat of further violence from the Islamist extremists, but their faith is too precious to abandon. Moly teaches Robin Bible stories, helps him memorise Scripture and teaches her son what it means to follow Jesus. Open Doors local partners have given Robin a children’s Bible, and he treasures it.

One of their favourite verses is Colossians 2:2-3: “My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

“Wisdom comes from Jesus,” Robin explains. “My mother prays for me every day to receive that wisdom.”

He also loves the story of David – and his favourite part of the story is not when he was a powerful king, but when he was a young boy. “My mother reads from the children’s Bible we were given, and tells me stories,” says Robin. “I like the shepherd boy, David. God said, ‘This is the king.’ Then he was made king on the throne – and he was a little boy.”

It’s clear that Robin can empathise with a young boy following God, underestimated by many and with powerful enemies – yet chosen by God as His own.

Christmas celebrations

At Christmas, of course, Robin reads about Jesus’s birth in his children’s Bible. It’s a special time, because he and Moly gather with other Bangladeshi families who have converted from Islam. Other children who know what Robin’s life is like.

“On that day, I wear new clothes and we go to church,” says Robin. “We cut a cake for Jesus’s birthday, then we wear red hats, we eat cake, and have a lot of fun. We play with everyone.” He is keen to share the delight with as many people as possible: “If there were more people, it would be even more joyful!”

It’s clearly an unforgettable day.

Unwrap hope for Robin

It is a joyful and freeing time, run by Open Doors local partners and made possible by people like you. A similar special gathering happens at Easter. But these are just two days out of the year: Moly and Robin need the support of Open Doors partners all year round.

As well as the children’s Bible and special gatherings, these local partners are stepping in with vital food and relief aid. They’re also paying Robin’s school costs so that his education can continue. From practical aid to spiritual nourishment, your help for children like Robin is a tangible reminder that they are seen, loved and remembered by their global church family – helping strengthen and grow the next generation of the church. Millions of children around the world need this encouragement today, and for the long-term.

Robin’s life has been torn apart by persecution. He has lost family, community and safety. Your Christmas gift and prayers today can unwrap hope for him.