Sumon Corraya

The fire, which broke out in a garment factory and spread to a chemical warehouse in the Mirpur neighbourhood, destroyed two buildings and killed 16 people. The authorities blame the lack of safety measures and certifications, while experts call for strict enforcement of regulations and the creation of a dedicated zone for chemical storage.

Last night, a serious act of intimidation struck the largest Catholic parish in Bangladesh, in the Tejgaon neighbourhood. No casualties or injuries have been reported, but there is great concern about the gesture and the message it conveys. Parish priest Fr Joyonto Sylvester Gomes: ‘Our church had never been targeted before’ . The Bangladesh Christian Association: ‘The government must identify those responsible and address the situation’.

More than fifty people are showing symptoms consistent with the disease, which is transmitted from livestock to humans. For the first time, cases have also been reported in the Rangpur region. The government has launched mass vaccinations and awareness campaigns, but experts warn that surveillance structures remain fragile and the risk of new infections is high.

On the eve of the largest Hindu festival, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reported at least nine incidents of vandalism and arson between 2 and 23 September. Despite government reassurances and police promises to ensure maximum security, fear is growing among Hindus. This year, more than 33,000 mandaps (temporary pavilions housing idols during the festival) are expected to be set up across the country, nearly 2,000 more than in 2023.

Bangladesh is celebrating the centenary of the birth of a businessman who remains an inspiration to many in the country. A prominent figure in the Baptist community, he passed away in 2012. During his life, he showed the power of integrity across religious boundaries. His children have taken on his legacy and set up a foundation to carry on his projects and pursue new initiatives, including a mobile clinic providing free healthcare to low-income people in Dhaka.

A Missionary of the Immaculate Conception originally from Tamil Nadu, aged 46, she assists non-Christians from the Santal indigenous community in northern Bangladesh. Thirty patients a day with skin diseases and pregnancy complications: ‘Serving them is my life's purpose’. Among the difficulties are the relationship with medicines and the use of shamans: ‘They come back to us, thanks to word of mouth.’

Behind the controversy is a demand from Muslim leaders and movements to revoke the government circular regarding the hiring of music teachers in public primary schools. They call it an "Islamophobic" decision. Civil society groups are up in arms, defending the secular nature of the schools. The clash reflects the deep tensions between those who support Sharia (Islamic law) and those who defend the constitution.

The Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue visited Bangladesh for a week to meet with religious leaders, government officials and members of the community. The President of the Supreme Court called for overcoming religious, gender and racial divisions in order to achieve a peaceful and inclusive society. The cardinal's homily focused on humility and the dangers of pride.

Hundreds of people attended the ordination of Fr Limon Biswas, a PIME missionary like Fr Antonio Marietti, who was the first to speak about Jesus in 1856 in Jessore, a village in the present-day Diocese of Khulna. Now he himself will leave as a missionary for Papua New Guinea. “I hope he will spread the Gospel with dedication and love,” said Bishop Boiragi.

A tragedy of poverty and gambling addiction lies in a father's decision to take his own life after killing his wife and two children. In a statement, Minarul Islam mentions “debt and hunger”. This tragedy is like several others that have occurred in recent weeks. Investigators have opened a case to shed light on the organisation that lent the man money.

During the International Day of Indigenous Peoples, some Christian leaders denounced exclusion and discrimination and renewed a series of demands to the government, including constitutional recognition, implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord and the establishment of a land commission.

5 August 2024 marked the end of 15 years of authoritarian rule by the Awami League. But one year after what is now called “Liberation Day”, promises of justice and inclusion remain largely unfulfilled. Tonight, Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus will read the July Declaration before Parliament.