Write a letter to Muslim-Background Believers facing violent Opposition
Just three months after their conversion in Bangladesh last November, Abdul Rashid, 40, and his wife, Tara, 30, have courageously faced violence and threats for their new faith.
In January, Abdul attended a three-day training course by Open Doors to train literacy teachers. He returned to his village in Kushtia with new teaching materials and began a literacy class in his home the next day.
Abdul welcomed both Christian and Muslim students, After a few days, some Muslim students noticed Christian content in the books and rumours spread around the village that Abdul was using the class to convert Muslims.
On Jauary 29, while Abdul was at work, a group of women approached Tara to ask if she was a Christian. "They beat me like I was an animal," says Tara. When I woke up, I was in the hospital." When Abdul returned home, he found his wife unconscious and bleeding. "Our kids were crying," he said. The children, Shakkor, 10, and Tuhin, 7, are still traumatised.
"Our neighbours said they would beat us again to prevent people from becoming Christians," Abdul says. "I am not worried about myself but I am afraid for my wife and children. I am praying that God will help us bear Jesus' cross."
The Bangladesh constitution provides religious freedom, however discrimination and harrassment continues against minority Christians - ranking Bangladesh at number 49 on the Open Doors 2012 World Watch List.
Please send a card or letter to encourage Abdul, Tara and their children.
Please send your cards and letters by 30 June to the address below:
Open Doors Australia
PO Box 6237
Frenchs Forest, NSW 2086
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