There are about 20 thousand people in the city of Ukhiya. Few NGOs distribute food and tents. On the face and bodies of displaced persons, signs of torture and anguish. A refugee: "Bangladesh is a Muslim country and so I hope it gives us refuge." Our correspondent’s report.
The boats were full of women and children. The refugees were trying to reach Bangladesh. Thousands are blocked in No Man’s Land between Bangladesh and Myanmar. Myanmar does not want Muslims; Bangladesh rejects them. For Christian activist, people must “show generosity.”
Thousands are trying to cross the border, even at night, seeking safety. Those who are caught are sent back to Myanmar. "They are our brothers and sisters,” a Dhaka imam says.
About eight million people have had to leave their homes in 32 districts. All South Asia has been affected by flooding. In Dinajpur, the Catholic charity has been providing two meals a day for 204 families. Tomorrow, it will provide aid to 1,550 families in Rajshahi. Bishop Gervas Rozario brings comfort to the victims.
They had exchanged their land with a Muslim developer for flats. Now they are forced to rent and have had their lives threatened.
Thousands of people mark International Day for Indigenous Peoples with dances, music and candlelit processions. For writer and educator Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, diversity is beauty. The government has however forgotten minority rights.
He is the only son of the family. His father died a few years ago. His sister is already nun. His mother encouraged him to follow his vocation. The example of PIME’s Italian missionaries in Bangladesh will help him become a true missionary. Fr Regan John Gomes, from Tumilia parish in Gazipur, is the fifth PIME missionary from Bangladesh.
The "Love Life and Not Drugs" event was organized by the Bangladesh Christian Association (BCC). The National Drug Control Board has supported the initiative because classical conferences are not enough to raise awareness among the population. There are 6 million drug addicts, some 80% young people.
From 24 to 27 July, the Bangladesh Diocesan Priests' Fraternity Seminar was held. The association wants to promote "healthy relationships" between religious and lay people in the parishes. Encourage collaboration to "increase Church activities".
The kids from Notre Dame College Mymensingh raised funds in their classrooms. According to government sources, 132 schools have been closed in Jamalpur due to flooding. Many roads are under water.
Most of these NGOs are controlled by Jamaat-e-Islam, and are based in Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain. The main ones are the Bangladesh Krishi Kalyan Samity, Muslim Aid Bangladesh, Rabeta Al-Alam al-Islami, Qatar Charitable Society, Islamic Relief Agency, International Islamic Relief Organisation (IRO), Hayatul Ighachha, Revival of Islamic Heritage Society, Tawhidi Noor, and al-Muntada al-Islami.
Voting took place yesterday in 56 Union Parishad, the country’s smallest administrative units. There are 4,554 in Bangladesh. “Once we were forced to flee to India because of persecution by Muslims. Later we realised that to save ourselves as a minority in this country, we had to get involved in politics,” said Protestant leader.
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