“Vulnerable and unprotected” – Christian converts in Bangladesh attacked amidst rising persecution

Please pray for Barun, his mother, and Akram – three Christian converts who were recently attacked and hospitalised.

In Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority country, Christians make up only 0.5% of the total population. Converts from both Hindu and Muslim backgrounds experience the brunt of persecution, as these two recent attacks show. 

Barun* (13) is a Christian from a Hindu background. He lives in a small house along with his widowed mother and two younger brothers in the northern part of Bangladesh. The village is mostly occupied by other converts from Hinduism, but they’re surrounded by a Muslim community who are angry that these believers didn’t convert to Islam. The Christians are frequently harassed, with demands to leave and threats of forced eviction from the village. 

After the local pastor visited Barun’s village on 31 March, a group of local Muslims went to the village. They began questioning Barun and his mother, insulting and mocking them in various ways. 

“Why have you converted to Christianity?” they demanded. “Why not to Islam? You are living in a Muslim country, but you have converted into Christianity. You can’t do that here! We won’t allow you!”  

As tensions escalated, the group began threatening Barun’s family, saying, “You can’t stay here! This is a Muslim country. Go live in a Christian country – we will kick you out of this village!” 

Barun taken to hospital after attack 

When the perpetrators started to insult his mother and push her, Barun tried to defend her. But the group turned on him instead and violently beat him, knocking him on the ground. The extent of Barun’s injuries from this attack meant he had to go to hospital for treatment.  

Barun’s mother was shaken after the incident. “We are poor, and we do not have a place to go – that’s why these people can easily persecute us,” she says. “We do not create any problems for them, but still, they are making trouble for us. We have no business with them. Without any reason, we are being persecuted.”  

The local pastor says, “These people have been persecuted for long time. Recently, some miscreant tried to set this village on fire during the night. They ignited a haystack near one of the believer’s homes, but fortunately someone saw the flames in time and quickly extinguished before it spread. Sadly, these people remain vulnerable and unprotected.” 

Open Doors local partners are helping Barun’s mother with emergency needs and hospital expenses. They have also been praying and encouraging Barun and his mother not to lose heart but to hold on to hope, continually seeking and praying to the Lord.  

Young boys attack an elderly man 

Just over a week earlier, on 22 March, Akram* – a believer from a Muslim background living in western Bangladesh – was attacked by some Muslim boys while working in a maize field.  

Akram, an elderly man and local house church leader, was in the middle of the field tending the maize plants. While he was busily working, he didn’t notice a group of young Muslim boys approach and surround him. They began interrogating him, intentionally trying to find something to accuse him of. Failing to find anything, the boys started claiming that Akram was converting people and leading young Muslims to hell.  

When Akram denied all their accusations, they became furious and attacked him, taking turns to beat, kick and punch him. They also used sticks and weapons. Akram eventually lost consciousness and his leg in particular was severely injured. 

Some other farmers working in the same field saw the commotion from afar and quickly rushed to Akram while the boys ran away. They took him to the local hospital for treatment. 

“I know I will not get justice” 

When asked whether he wanted to file a case against the boys, he said, “I will not file any case against them because I know I will not get justice. After filing a case against them, I will suffer much. I do not blame them either, but I forgive them.”  

He added, “My Lord Jesus Christ was persecuted the same way. He was beaten. He shed blood on the ground but still He forgave them and prayed for the persecutors. I forgive them and I pray that God will forgive them and will help them to find the truth and find salvation.” 

Bangladesh has risen three places to number 24 on the World Watch List this year as persecution has increased. More Christians from Muslim backgrounds are being targeted – even by Muslim neighbours and friends who they’ve known for years.  

Akram is now back at home, although he’s still being treated for his injuries. Local Open Doors partners are regularly in touch with him and are looking for other ways to help him. They are also connecting with the pastor of Akram’s local church. Please continue to pray for his recovery and protection. 

*Names changed for security reasons