24Bangladesh

Converts – whether from a Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist or an ethnic/tribal background – face the most severe restrictions, discrimination and attacks in Bangladesh. Fearing attack from extremists, they often gather in small house churches or secret groups.

Churches that evangelise among the Muslim majority face persecution, but even traditional churches such as the Roman Catholic Church may experience attacks or threats made to their clergy.

The 2025 World Watch List reporting period saw significant political turmoil in the country, as violent riots led to the resignation of the prime minister and an increase in extremist attacks on Christians, especially converts. Volatile times are always a special challenge for religious minorities.

Christians who belong to ethnic minorities can experience double persecution – first for their ethnicity, second for their faith. Last year, members of the majority-Christian Bawm ethnic group have been killed, and many forced to flee, caught up in a complex conflict between the military and rival armed groups.

Meet Mijanur Rahman

“We’re persecuted, afflicted and mistreated – but not broken.”

Mijanur Rahman (name changed), a teenager in Bangladesh.

What does Open Doors do to help?

Open Doors works through partners in Bangladesh to provide persecuted preparedness training, discipleship, Bibles and other Christian literature, literacy programmes and socio-economic empowerment, and emergency and immediate aid to victims of persecution.