Christians in Bangladesh are seriously scared right now. A string of attacks in Dhaka, including crude bombs tossed at Holy Rosary Church and St. Mary's Cathedral, plus threats from a group called Tauhidee Muslim Janata against Notre Dame College and Holy Cross College, have everyone on edge before Christmas. Authorities have posted police at churches for the holidays because of this.
A local priest named Joyanto S. Gomes told reporters that a real climate of fear exists, made worse by a bigger trend of mob violence across the country. Churches are reacting by setting up security committees and installing CCTV cameras. The broader minority situation looks bad too, with a rights group tracking a sharp increase in mob lynchings this year, targeting other groups like the Ahmadiyyas as well.
Community members are scaling back their usual celebrations because of safety worries. A Garo Catholic named Ajay Mree said police told his group to stop their all-night Christmas caroling early this year to avoid possible trouble. The Bangladesh Catholic Education Board is telling schools to stay alert, with its secretary Jyoti F. Gomes noting the need for vigilance without panic, especially with the unstable political situation around elections. Christians are a very small group there, making up less than half a percent of the population.
A local priest named Joyanto S. Gomes told reporters that a real climate of fear exists, made worse by a bigger trend of mob violence across the country. Churches are reacting by setting up security committees and installing CCTV cameras. The broader minority situation looks bad too, with a rights group tracking a sharp increase in mob lynchings this year, targeting other groups like the Ahmadiyyas as well.
Community members are scaling back their usual celebrations because of safety worries. A Garo Catholic named Ajay Mree said police told his group to stop their all-night Christmas caroling early this year to avoid possible trouble. The Bangladesh Catholic Education Board is telling schools to stay alert, with its secretary Jyoti F. Gomes noting the need for vigilance without panic, especially with the unstable political situation around elections. Christians are a very small group there, making up less than half a percent of the population.
