Bangladesh: 50 Christians injured in Muslim attacks

March 25, 2010

Armed with knives, bricks, and sticks, a group of Muslims attacked Christian villagers in Bangladesh on March 20, injuring 50.

“They [the Muslims] said they will kill some of our people,” said Father Leo Desai of the Diocese of Dinajpur. “We’re in a panic and are afraid to go out.”

The attacks took place after a court ruled in favor of a parish in a land dispute. “Most tribal people are illiterate and have no land documents for their ancestral lands,” explained diocesan official Father Anthony Sen. “Local Muslims occupy their lands and land disputes arise.”

0.2% of the nation’s 143.9 million people are Catholic; 83% are Muslim, and 16% are Hindu.

 

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Further information:

• Muslim attacks send Catholics into a panic (UCAN)