Christian convert doctor killed by suspected Islamic fanatics

Dhaka, Bangladesh – The recent tragic and brutal murder of a Bangladeshi Christian doctor who converted from Islam 15 years ago has stunned the nation into silence and many local media fear that he has been killed by Islamic fanatics.

The Bengali daily newspaper "Janakantha" reported that "Islamic warriors" killed Doctor Gani Mondol as he was walking home from work in Jamalpur district, 140 kilometers north of Dhaka. The daily mentioned that local people cited the manner in which Mondol was slain – his throat was slit – as consistent with the way the "warriors" operate.

It is reported that some local Muslims did not take kindly to his conversion 15 years ago, and that they had been spreading rumors about him. However, Mondol's two elder brothers, both Muslims, maintained good relations with him.

The government doctor embraced Christianity through affiliation with the Baptist Church, but also had associated with the Catholic Church in recent years.

According to news reports, his relations with both Protestant and Catholic Churches enabled him to serve local people through Church relief and social projects. A Catholic priest confirmed that the doctor was active in social work and tried to arrange free medical care for poor patients he could not treat.

Before his death, Dr. Mondol was involved in relief work for people affected by Bangladesh's worst flooding in years and it is reported that Dr. Mondol had mortgaged his land to use in flood relief.