Christian persecution and religious discrimination against Christians, Hindus, and other minorities have reached alarming levels in Bangladesh. Following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, Islamist groups have been attacking Christians and Hindus almost daily.
On Christmas Eve 2024, 17 houses belonging to the Christian community in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh were set on fire. The attack took place in the SP Garden area of Lama Sarai, Bandarban district, while the residents were attending Christmas prayers at a nearby church.
The incident left 19 families from the Tripura community devastated and unable to celebrate Christmas. Christianity is a rapidly growing faith in Chittagong, with many tribal people—and even some Muslims—embracing Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. According to community members, the estimated loss from the arson exceeds 1.5 million Taka (approximately 15,000 USD).
The affected families explained that the land belongs to their community, but the attack has intensified a long-standing dispute following their conversion to Christianity.
One victim, Ganga Mani Tripura, revealed that they had been threatened with eviction since November 17, 2024, and were pressured to pay a large sum of money to remain in the area. Despite filing a formal complaint against dozens of individuals at the Lama police station, no preventive action was taken.
We ask our readers and fellow Christians to keep these families in your prayers as they remain without shelter, exposed to the elements.
Original Source: https://ecspe.org/christian-families-in-bangladesh-targeted-by-arson-on-christmas-eve-2024/
Comments
Post a Comment