Christians in Bangladesh Fear Rise of Islamist Groups

📅 September 2025

🇧🇩 Dhaka, Bangladesh

Current Crisis Overview

Following the student-led uprising that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, Bangladesh has witnessed a concerning rise in Islamic fundamentalism. Christian minorities now live in fear of persecution as national elections approach in February 2026, with religious tensions escalating across the Muslim-majority nation.

1,000+

Human Rights Violations

Recorded against religious minorities (July 2023 – June 2024)

Minority Members Murdered

Plus 10 attempted murders and 36 death threats

102

Acts of Vandalism

Looting and arson against minority properties

Years Without Justice

Since the church bombing that killed 10 Catholics

Even 25 years after the bombing of our church that killed 10 Catholic believers, we have not got justice yet, nor has any charge sheet been filed for the attack. The loud sound of that bomb constantly rings in our ears, and the image of that brother’s gruesome body flashes before our eyes.

— Premananda Haldar, Catholic survivor whose brother died in the 2001 church bombing

🕐 Timeline of Recent Events

August 5, 2024

Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government falls in student-led uprising; Prime Minister flees the country

Post-August 2024

Rise of Islamic fundamentalist groups becomes visible across Bangladesh

July 2025

11 teachers protest at Mymensingh Notre Dame College; Principal alleges hidden agenda to destroy Catholic institutions

July 28, 2025

Vandals cut down 3,000 betel trees belonging to Khasi indigenous Catholics, destroying their primary source of income

February 2026

National elections scheduled – Christian community fears increased persecution during campaign period

⛪ Religious Persecution

Christians face a pattern of violence regardless of political outcomes, with minorities caught in political crossfire.

                            In Bangladesh, it is said in politics that religious minorities vote for the Awami League, and when it wins, the opposition attacks. However, when the Awami League loses, they think that the minorities have lost because they did not vote, and minorities are still attacked.
                        

The 2001 bombing at Most Holy Redeemer Church in Gopalganj killed 10 Catholics (7 under age 30) and injured over 50 during Sunday Mass. No charges have ever been filed.

🏫 Institutional Attacks

Catholic educational institutions face targeted campaigns designed to undermine their operations and reputation.

                            They have a hidden agenda behind their movement, otherwise 50 teachers of the college would have protested but only 11 teachers are protesting. Our Catholic institutions are doing well and gaining a good reputation. That is why they are protesting to destroy Catholic institutions.
                        

— Holy Cross Father Thadeus Hembrom, Principal of Mymensingh Notre Dame College

🌿 Economic Oppression

Indigenous Catholic communities face deliberate destruction of their livelihoods and forced displacement.

                            The influential people of the local religious majority Muslim community want to evict us from this place and take it over. They want to expand tea gardens here. That is why they are oppressing us.
                        

— Welcome Lamba, Khasi Catholic leader whose community lost 3,000 betel trees to vandalism

We are afraid of the upcoming elections. Because, before and after the elections, we have been subjected to many injustices and this time there is a greater possibility of it. So, we are constantly praying to God to protect us.

— Welcome Lamba, Khasi Indigenous Catholic Leader

📰 Source & Full Report

This report is based on documentation by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) and eyewitness accounts from affected communities.

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