Christians in Dhaka fear that they are target of recent blast in building

Dhaka, Bangladesh – Christians in the Muslim dominated nation of Banglasdesh are living in fear as they feel that the recent explosion that hit a Christian–owned building on September 17 killing one person and injuring seven “might be an attack against the Christian minority” and “many expect other attacks like this.”

According to Church sources from the Dhaka based Christian Center, the investigation into the cause was still under way and though police and local media have talked about a gas leak, yet, there is a widespread suspicion that it was an action by Muslin fundamentalists against the Christian community.

“We visited the explosion site with Archbishop Paul Tschang In–Nam, the Apostolic Nuncio to Bangladesh, and it was clear that it was not a simple gas leak,” sources said. “Christians in this area don’t have an easy life.” “If it was a bomb,” the nuncio added, “I hope the police will arrest the perpetrators.”

According to news reports, there may be another explanation. Christians are being targeted by local criminals tied to Islamic extremists. Christians are often forced to pay extortion money or sell their real estate to the local mafia. Through intimidation they can get properties at low cost and speculate on prices.

Father Palma, parish priest at Holy Cross church in Luxmibazar, disclosed that this year 3 of the 15 Christian real estate owners sold out and moved abroad. “If they don’t pay the money–grabbers, they have to pay politicians for protection. There is no escape,” he added.

The Gomes family which owned the building hit by the explosion was, incidentally, threatened several times and recently received intimidating phone calls.

The Dhaka incident highlights once again the problem of religious minorities in Bangladesh. Although officially Islam is state religion, the law formally prohibits all forms of discrimination based on religion.

However, according to the Aid to the Church in Need 2004 report, Islamic extremists often go as far as to prevent Christians from using public water wells and destroy their rickshaws depriving them of their one source of income.

Archbishop Paul Tschang In–Nam said he hoped that “our Christian brothers n Bangladesh would be accepted as Bangladeshi citizens like Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. No more, no less.”

Incidentally, the Sixth Annual Report on International Religious Freedom released by the State Dept. of US Government stated that in Bangladesh, there was “state neglect of societal discrimination against, or persecution of, minority religions”.

Out of a population of more than 125 million over 80 per cent is Muslim. At just under one million Christians are less than 1 per cent.

Surojit Chatterjee
(surojit.chatterjee@christiantoday.co.in)