BANGLADESH: PRAY FOR 13-YEAR-OLD BARUN WHO WAS BEATEN UP FOR HIS FAITH IN JESUS.

Please pray for Barun AND his mUM – Christian converts who were recently attacked and hospitalised.

Barun* (13) is a Christian from a Hindu background. He lives in a small house along with his 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. 

“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 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, someone tried to set the 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 it 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. Support Barun and his mum by praying for them now. Use the prayer points below.