(Image courtesy Asian Access)
Bangladesh (A2/MNN) — The U.S. Department of State warns that travel to Bangladesh is especially dangerous right now.
The alert notes, “There is reliable information to suggest that
terrorist attacks could occur against foreigners in Bangladesh,
including against large gatherings of foreigners.”
Additionally, groups like Barnabus Fund, Open Doors USA, and the Voice of the Martyrs USA have
observed a dramatic surge in the persecution of Christians and Hindus,
instigated by Islamic extremists. Noel Becchetti with Asian Access
says, “Leaders in both of these areas are getting texts saying, ‘Make
sure you eat your favorite foods over the next few days because we’re
going to kill you in five days,’ or ‘Plan your funeral because you’re
going to be dead in three days.’”
(Image courtesy Asian Access)
It’s disconcerting, Becchetti explains, because “Bangladesh,
historically, has always been known for its tolerance. This is really a
new phenomenon. Some people think it’s just folks have seen what ISIS is
doing, and to some degree, you don’t have to sign up. Anybody can just
say, ‘Well, we can do that, too.’”
But are these extremists actually members of ISIS? Not necessarily,
says Becchetti. “It’s almost like there are ISIS wanna-be’s out there
now. In other words, you’ve got this ISIS phenomenon in Syria and Iraq.
Everybody can see what they’re doing, including other disaffected folks
in other parts of the world.”
Part of the push-back could also be connected to the fast growth of
the Church. Growth means Gospel. Gospel means change. There are just
some people who don’t like the direction of that change. In terms of
protecting Christians, “The government is aware. The government is not
happy about it [the threat].”
Barnabus Fund further explains who is behind the violence: “Those
sending the threats claim they are part of Islamist groups Jama’atul
Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and Islamic State. Their agenda is clear:
‘This country will be ruled only by the [Islamic] Sharia law,’ read the
letter sent to [one pastor]. Although Bangladesh is a secular country
and its legal system makes it one of the most tolerant Muslim-majority
countries in the world, there are Islamist groups lobbying for the
Islamisation of the country. The situation has become increasingly
volatile in recent months, and Bangladeshi Christians, who make up just
1% of a population that is 90% Muslim, are vulnerable targets.”
(Graphic courtesy Asian Access)
These have not been idle threats, says Becchetti. “Pastors are being
approached by folks saying, ‘Hey! We’re interested to talk about
Christianity. We want to know more about Jesus.’ They’ll come into their
homes and then they’ll attack them.” In another incident, he shares,
“The secretary to one of our leaders, some of her family members…were at
home at night, asleep; and somebody broke out one of the windows and
started shooting. Three people were shot inside the house, all wounded.”
However, Bangladeshis are resilient. “People don’t want their lives
to stop,” says Becchetti. “It’s trying to juggle not letting the
terrorists, in a sense, ‘win’ by paralyzing your whole life.”
Bangladeshi Christians consider a certain level of persecution to be a
normal part of being a Christ-follower. In fact, in this context, there
is a lot of genuine interest right now in the Gospel. “Muslim young
people are being disaffected on a lot of levels for a lot of reasons in a
lot of this part of the world.”
That’s not to say these church leaders and pastors are not taking
precautions. It’s nerve-wracking to be constantly looking over your
shoulder, not knowing who to trust. “Part of their challenge is being
able to discern between the students who are genuinely interested and
then students who are actually infiltrators…pretending to be interested
so they can infiltrate these groups.”
A2 is asking believers to pray for Bangladesh’s Church. “They can
feel somewhat isolated, so when they know that believers all over the
world are trying to stay aware [and] are praying, that means a lot. It
really does.”
There are more ways to help here.
Thank you for standing with and continuing to pray for our persecuted
brothers and sisters in Christ across Asia. This phenomenon is
occurring not only in Bangladesh, but also in many places across Asia.
Let us persevere in prayer.
Source: Mission Network
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