Christian True Believer Assaulted by Muslims in Bangladesh for not performing Islamic prayers

[duluxe]

“Arif Salam,” 55, is a bicycle mechanic, husband, and father. He is also an independent preacher, openly sharing the gospel in his predominantly Muslim country, Bangladesh.


During the afternoon of June 5, Salam heard knocking on his door. A group of men questioned him about why he did not perform Namaz, the daily ritual prayers. He calmly explained he is a follower of Jesus Christ. Immediately, the men assaulted him.


Salam is now tending to wounds all over his body, including his head. He and his family are working through trauma, anxiety, and fear. When Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSI) learned of the attack, they partnered with a local pastor and volunteers to provide urgent medical care and support for Salam’s family. They communicated with the local police administration to ensure a proper investigation and are now engaged in legal counsel.

A Growing Threat​

Salam’s attack is one of several made against Christians since the country’s newest political party rose to power in February. The center-right, capitalist Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is the first elected government since the nation overthrew Sheikh Hasina’s administration in 2024. It is the primary opposer of Jamaat-e-Islami, a radical Islamic political party to which the men behind Salam’s attack belong.


Though not the party primarily in power, Jamaat is rising in influence, along with several other Islamist political groups.


A Christian youth skill development in southwestern Bangladesh underwent pressure from a local Islamic political group and was forced to shut down. In the north, a woman running a women’s discipleship class is facing backlash from Islamic leaders. Islamic extremists severely beat a pastor for his bold proclamation of the gospel.


Though the BNP has claimed to attempt to provide stability for minority religions, its efforts have proven unsuccessful against Islamic political groups like Jamaat. Today, Bangladesh is the 33rd most dangerous place in the world to be a Christian.


*Name changed for security reasons

 

[Nut]

But he should know the risks of going around trying to preach a religion that will irritate the majority...

 

[Nut]

I mean I see a lot of these siaolang young people going around trying to get people go to church. They even approach Muslims, Buddhists Hindus openly. The leadership in the Christian church are sending then to be beaten?

 

[syed putra]

Only beaten? Christians destroyed entire Muslim majority countries in middle East killing millions