Christians in Bangladesh have said that they’re “living in fear” as a consequence of an increase in Islamist violence and the potential imposition of Sharia law across the country.
The situation for Christians has deteriorated because the deposition of Sheikh Hasina in 2024. Hasina ruled Bangladesh for 15 years and while her administration was characterised by increasing authoritarianism and allegations of corruption and cronyism, she was also credited with taking a zero-tolerance approach to Islamism.
Fresh elections are as a consequence of happen on 12 February, but religious liberty group Open Doors has warned that the alternative on offer is the Bangladesh National Party (BNP), broadly representing the establishment, or an alliance of Islamist parties, essentially the most distinguished of which is Jamaat-e-Islami, which has pledged to introduce Sharia law.
Open Doors have said that because the fall of Hasina each Christians and Hindus have been subject to more attacks, particularly those that have converted from Islam.
One anonymous local pastor told the organisation, “Christians reside in fear now. [When Hasina was deposed] many churches were attacked and destroyed, and the homes of Christians were damaged. Since that point, mob violence has increased, and fear has grown amongst our people.”
He added, “In the midst of this difficult time, Christians are praying for God’s protection. We need to live in peace and be treated as equal residents within the land where God has placed us.”
Another local Christian, and convert from Islam, said that Christians were often assumed to be supporters of Hasina’s hated Awami League, while one other church leader said he had been threatened by representatives of each the BNP and the Islamist parties.
Bangladeshi politics has had an impact in Britain, with former Labour minister Tulip Siddiq resigning as a consequence of corruption allegations related to her relationship together with her aunt Hasina. Siddiq denies all wrongdoing, claiming the allegations are politically motivated, nevertheless, she was found guilty in absentia and sentenced to 4 years in prison by a Bangladeshi court.
There have also been cases of local councillors within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, which has a big Bangladeshi population, attempting to run for office in Bangladesh as candidates for the BNP.
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