Sumon Corraya

Last year Dhaka and Riyadh signed an agreement to send 120 thousand workers to Arabia. In 2015, 20,952 women left for Arabia, but many have already returned. They recounted stories of abuse and threats, domestic slaves by day, sex slaves by night. Saudi recruiter: "We love Bangladeshi women because they are Muslim and wear a headscarf."

The stand belongs to Ba-DWIP publisher Prakashan, who was participating in the annual book fair in Dhaka. The publishing house had "Bitarka Islam" (Debate on Islam) on display. The radicals claimed that the text contains disparaging statements against Islam and Muhammad. Writer: "In Bangladesh if someone kills a man he is not punished, but if he says or writes something against Islam yes."

A dozen people have raid clinic run by religious, threatening them and stealing phones, cash and gold chains. Resident Muslims and Catholics, warned by the pastor, captured two thieves. The episode takes place four days after a similar attack in another province. Secretary of Justice and Peace: "These attacks are premeditated and intended to harm our Christian community."

The Pope appointed Msgr. Francis Gomes Shorot Auxiliary of the archdiocese: his family are all consecrated to the Lord. The crucial example of his parents: "They always attended Mass and prayed the rosary, living a godly life that inspired us all."

A group of about 20 people attacked the Karpashdanga church and a convent of the catechists of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The related security guards and held at gunpoint. A religious refuses to hand over the money - in the house to pay a bricklaying - and is slapped with violence. Christian activist: "alarming signal, the sisters have always been very respected in the country."

The composer and director died aged 77. He was the main figure of Bangladeshi sacred music and directed a choir of 1,000 people during the visit of St. John Paul II in 1986. He has written more than 50 hymns. Muslim engineer: "He was a great man, may God give him peace and rest."

Created by Pope Francis on 29 December, the Diocese of Barisal is located 123 km south of Dhaka and is home to 16,000 Catholics who live in an area with a population of 15 million. Mgr Lawrence Subroto, the new bishop, welcomes the decision to detach it from the Diocese of Chittagong. After ten years of requests, their efforts “have been successful”. Now the pastoral outreach “will give priority to service, not only for Catholics, but also for others, to bring them the witness of Christ”.

Shibu Gomes, 55, has buried at least 95 people. Digging graves is hard work; "for each, I remove almost a metric tonne of earth." He would like to have some help, "but only to make sure that I do not get buried alive when digging."

Indian Mullah Moulana Muhammad Sa'ad led the closing prayer. Participants called for God’s forgiveness and prayed for themselves and their families. The gathering attracted Muslims from 150 countries. A Catholic praised the event’s organization. "We Christians should learn from our Muslim brothers and sisters.” They “don’t have any complain against organizers. They manage their own food and accommodation personally.”

With the help of a national bank, the Church hands out blankets and other items to more than 150 needy families. The poorest and the sick suffer at night from the cold.

An historic pond owned by the St Peter’s Church since 1849 is the bone of contention. Initially used for baptisms, it now serves the community as an important source of drinking water. The government wants to fill it in to build a courthouse. For years, the Christian minority has endured forced evictions.

The man's name was Louis Soren and he was 40 years old. The attackers tried to erase all traces of the murder by burning his body. His wife recognized him from a mark on his leg. PIME priest: "We have buried Louis in the local cemetery."