Source: www.persecution.org
Date: August 9, 2024
Bangladesh (International Christian Concern) — The violence and destruction that has fueled weeks-long protests in Bangladesh and forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign earlier this week and flee to India is now reaching religious minorities, including Christians.
The protests, originally demanding the prime minister’s resignation and a restructuring of Bangladesh’s government, have led to clashes between citizens and government officials and left nearly 300 people dead.
Muslim protestors, who are part of the majority Sunni Islam population, are now targeting religious minorities, including Hindus, who comprise 8% of the population, and Christians, who account for less than half of 1% of the population. Attackers have looted and destroyed churches and Hindu temples this week. Hundreds of homes have been targeted as well.
With its government in transition and a strained police force, some expect the targeting of religious minorities to worsen.
Christian leaders and groups inside and outside the country have condemned the violence and called for peace, to little effect. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council has fielded calls all week from religious minorities to give them some semblance of safety amid the unrest. They are encouraging those gathering at churches and Hindu temples to exercise extreme caution until the violence settles and a new government gains control.
Some student leaders have called on others to guard churches and temples during the uprising.
HOW TO PRAY: Pray for a peaceful resolution to these protests. Pray for protection for religious minorities across the nation. Pray for the church in Bangladesh to share the love of Christ through this season.