We serve Christians around the world whose brave faith in Jesus means they are, beaten, threatened, imprisoned, tortured, falsely accused, disowned and hated.

Bangladesh: Church destroyed in suspected arson attack

pattern

A church has been completely destroyed in a fire in a remote village in Bangladesh – and the local Christians are struggling to find answers or receive justice from the local authorities.

On 30 June at around 10pm, the local church of a village in the Chattagram Hill Tracts region was set on fire. The church was located a little way from the village, as the majority Buddhist community did not want the church in the village itself.

The congregation of indigenous believers were heartbroken to discover their church and everything in it reduced to ashes. They face daily discrimination – not only from the community, but from local political parties as well. After the church was built in 2014, there have been non-stop complaints and aggravation from the villagers about Christians in the community.

While it’s not clear who started the fire, a few Buddhist villagers were spotted lurking around the church shortly before the fire began.

A meeting was called in the village the very next day. Those suspected of the attack have denied the allegations of arson, though they acknowledged that they were there that night. “It must’ve happened after we had left that place because we didn’t see anything,” said one of the suspects.

The vast majority of the community supported the suspects and, in turn, became very angry with the Christians for making such allegations. The meeting quickly became heated, and in an effort to ease the situation, some villagers decided that it would be best if the Christians left the meeting. Others threatened them not to bring up this issue to anyone else or rebuild the church.

The believers are currently afraid and frustrated. They can’t even complain to the local authorities about the situation as it would make their neighbours angrier. They are losing hope in seeing justice being done.

Open Doors local partners in Bangladesh are looking into ways to help the believers in this village. It’s a difficult situation and it must be handled with care. Currently, local partners are in communication with the believers and encouraging them.

PRAY NOW...
1

For God to comfort and strengthen this group of believers as they find somewhere to meet and worship

3

That God will grant the believers favour in the eyes of the local authorities and that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.

2

That God will give wisdom and discernment to Open Doors local partners as they seek to support these Christians

Four things you can do now:
  • 1
    Learn more and pray:

    Get our free glow-in-the-dark World Watch List Map and find out more about the places where faith costs the most.

    Get your map
  • 2
    Pray regularly:

    Every Monday night at 7pm we'll be praying one prayer for one minute for the one in seven Christians around the world who face persecution.

    Join us now
  • 3
    Choose to Lose:

    Raise money by getting sponsored to lose something you love for a short time.

    Sign up
  • 4
    Send a message of hope:

    Imagine getting a letter from a Christian on the other side of the world who'd heard about you and was praying for you - encouraging right? Well, you can send encouragement now to young Christians facing persecution.

    Do that now
NEWS
November 5, 2024

See how young Christians are being targeted in an attempt to destabilise families and stop a new generation of Christians from emerging…

Find out more
October 21, 2024

Thank God that the Supreme Court in India has overturned a decision that could have been used to further discriminate against Christians…

Find out more
October 21, 2024

Join us to pray for the safe release of 18 Christians, imprisoned as part of the conflict in Sudan…

Find out more
October 14, 2024

Pray for Pastor Sirajul in Bangladesh as he faces threats and intimidation because of his choice to follow Jesus and share his faith with others…

Find out more
October 14, 2024

See how your prayers, fundraising and support are helping displaced Christians in Nigeria…

Find out more
October 7, 2024

God is moving in incredible ways in Afghanistan. Check out these words from three secret Afghan Christians…

Find out more
October 7, 2024

See how your letters have impacted, encouraged and inspired secret believers in Central Asia.Please pray for Ruojie, a Sunday school teacher and businessman who was imprisoned last year for selling Bibles…

Find out more
September 30, 2024

See how your letters have impacted, encouraged and inspired secret believers in Central Asia.

Find out more
September 30, 2024

Thank God for the early release of Anooshavan Avedian, a pastor sentenced to ten years in prison for his faith.

Find out more
September 23, 2024

“In the midst of persecution, we particularly need to depend on God’s love to endure, persist, and forgive.” 

Find out more
btn-scroll