The Christian communities in Bangladesh are facing heightened fears following a series of attacks on Christian institutions in Dhaka. Security measures have been increased with police deployed in churches across the capital to safeguard the communities during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Incidents like crude bomb attacks on various Christian establishments have contributed to a climate of fear among the Christian population.
The Union of Catholic Asian (UCA) News reported that Holy Rosary Church, St. Mary’s Cathedral, and St. Joseph’s Higher Secondary School and College in Dhaka were targeted in recent attacks. Additionally, extremist group ‘Tauhidee Muslim Janata’ issued threats to Notre Dame College and Holy Cross College, accusing them of engaging in religious conversion activities. Father Joyanto S. Gomes from Holy Rosary Church expressed concerns about the rising trend of mob violence, stating that fear has become palpable in the community.
The report emphasized the widespread apprehension among Christians in Bangladesh, leading churches in Dhaka to establish security committees and install CCTV cameras to ensure the safety of worshippers during the holiday season. Highlighting the broader issue of violence against minorities in the country, the report cited a significant increase in mob lynchings and targeted attacks on religious minorities, women, mystic singers, and Sufi shrines.
The Bangladesh Catholic Education Board has advised schools to remain vigilant during the holiday period. Jyoti F. Gomes, the board secretary, stressed the importance of vigilance amid uncertainties surrounding the upcoming elections. Christians constitute a small minority in Bangladesh, accounting for less than 0.5% of the population, with a majority being Catholics and Protestants. Concerns over safety have led some communities, like the Garo Catholics in Tangail district, to scale back Christmas celebrations as a precautionary measure.
