Bulletin Date: 16 October 2013
 |
 |
| Bangladesh Flag |
On Sept. 13, a local council chairman in Bilbathuagani village, about 60 miles north of Dhaka, joined 200 demonstrators to protest the building of a new church. The Tangail Evangelical Holiness Church was established on Sept. 8 by a group of about 25 Christians who had been meeting secretly for three years.
The day after the protest, the Christians were summoned to councilman Rafiqul Islam Faruk's office, where they were met by more than 1,000 Muslims who had gathered outside. Several believers were forced to accept Islam against their will, and some were told that if they did not return to Islam their house would be burned and they would be beaten and evicted from the village.
Faruk argued that some Christians had been acting against Islam due to their incorrect interpretation of the Quran. "They were derailed, so we tried to put them on the right track," he said.
Source: World Watch Monitor
Please Pray!
Please pray that the believers in Bilbathuagani village will remain steadfast in faith and will not be forced to leave their church or village. Government officials have said they have taken steps to ensure the Christians' safety and security. Pray that they will be vigilant. Pray for the salvation of council chairman Faruk and his supporters.
"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." Rom. 8:16-17
The Voice of the Martyrs assists Christians in Bangladesh by providing ministry materials, transportation for pastors and evangelists, discipleship training and other means of assistance.
| COUNTRY | Bangladesh  |
| DESCRIPTION | Bangladesh faces widespread political and bureaucratic corruption, along with overpopulation and a high poverty rate. Almost half the population lives on less than a dollar a day. Annual monsoon flooding hinders economic development, and religious extremism is growing. Category: Restricted Nation Religion: Muslim 89%, Christian 0.7% Ideology: Islam Head of State: President Zillur Rahman Bangladesh officially became a Muslim state in 1988. Religious minorities may worship openly, but they face social discrimination, and religious freedom is being steadily eroded by Islamist pressure. Most discrimination against Christians comes from Muslims, but Buddhists in southeastern Bangladesh also oppose Christians. Christians are denied access to public water wells, their property is destroyed and they are beaten and blackmailed. While forced reconversion to Islam is increasing, indigenous churches continue to grow. VOM supports a safe house and training center for converts. Source: Voice of the Martyrs   |
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.