Bangladesh

Front-line workers report that a family in Bangladesh is struggling physically and emotionally after continual assaults. Luck, a faithful Christian evangelist, was confronted and warned to stop her gospel work. In 2025, a radical Muslim mob attacked her home, beat Luck and her husband, and burned 15 Bibles. In response, they gave thanks that they were counted worthy to suffer for Christ, and Luck boldly continued to spread the Good News in their village. Later that year, a group of Muslim men followed her 11-year-old daughter from school and assaulted her, leaving the whole family traumatized and afraid.

Khumlai, his wife and two daughters lost all their belongings in a series of attacks that began in October 2025 and culminated in the complete destruction of their home. Khumlai, who discipled 12 local Christian families in his home, had heard that the Muslim fundamentalist group Jammat-e-Islami, in coordination with some of his own Muslim family members, intended to kill him and force his daughters into Muslim marriages. He fled with his family to a nearby village before the final attack that razed their home.

In the months since protests resulted in a chaotic change of government in Bangladesh, Christians have encountered mounting violence and threats, but a church in northern Bangladesh has demonstrated special resilience. Despite intense persecution, the pastor of the church has discipled 10 other families to stand strong in their faith. These families have been rejected by their community, making it difficult to obtain food and other necessities.

Young Christians from isolated people groups are being equipped to reach their communities with the gospel. In a volatile area of southern Bangladesh called the Hill Tracts, tribal groups that culturally identify as Christians have faced a triple threat: Government forces, anti-government paramilitary groups and Islamist groups all regard them as enemies. The threats have driven these people groups out of their homes and deep into the jungle, making access to them nearly impossible.

After a secret Christmas program at Saiful’s house church in late December 2024, someone obtained photos and exposed the church on social media, prompting outrage against Saiful and the church from several nearby mosques. Within hours, the situation escalated until a large Muslim crowd marched to the church, threatening violence. Police intervened to stop the procession, but the leaders of the rally vowed to return with more people to burn Saiful’s house. Local authorities have granted permission for the Christians to continue meeting, but Saiful has been warned to take safety precautions.

Like many Bangladeshi Christians in the months since the August 2024 overthrow of the government, Arif has faced increased pressure from Muslim extremist groups because of his faith in Christ. Witnessing this, Arif’s brothers, who are still Muslim, have declared their support for him and their opposition to the Muslim clerics who have harassed Arif. Pray for Arif to stand firm in the truth of 2 Corinthians 4:17–18, verses he shared with front-line workers: “For this light momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.”

Pastor Dulal had received threats because of his Christian witness in his village. But when political upheaval in the summer of 2024 left the area without police or army protection, Muslim extremists took the opportunity to fulfill those threats. Attackers destroyed his home, gouging large holes in the walls and ripping out windows and doors while carrying away anything of value. Dulal said he was thankful that he and his family were not home at the time because he believes the attackers would have killed them.

When protests forced the resignation of the prime minister in August 2024, Islamist groups took advantage of the lack of police presence across the country to attack the Christian minority. Attackers have looted and destroyed churches and targeted Christians’ homes. Monoara, 75; her daughter, Salma, and her granddaughter, 14, were among those who were attacked. On Aug. 5, they escaped from their home and watched from the nearby jungle as their belongings were carried away or destroyed by an extremist mob. “I thought that was my last day,” Monoara recalled.

Since a coup last summer that created chaos across Bangladesh and increased violence against Christians, an Islamic extremist group called Hefazat-e-Islam has been rising in power. Several Christian leaders from different parts of Bangladesh reported that they received threatening letters from Hefazat leaders, warning them that any celebration of Christmas this year “will be the last celebration they do in this life.”

Political violence has escalated in Bangladesh, resulting in the resignation and flight of Prime Minister Sheik Hasina and at least 95 deaths on a single day (Aug. 4) in the capital city, Dhaka. Front-line workers report increased targeted attacks against Christians as a result. In one case, a church was attacked by an armed crowd that damaged vehicles and tried to set fire to the building early one morning.