The celebration is a national holiday in Bangladesh and has no religious connotation. Mogul Emperor Akbar introduced it to celebrate the end of tax collection. This year, the event is dedicated to the memory of bloggers killed by Islamic radicals.
Mohammad Kamaruzzaman, was involved in the massacres that took place during the war of liberation from Pakistan. He refused to seek a presidential pardon, his last chance after the Supreme Court ruling. In the capital, hundreds of people celebrate the announcement, while some Jamaat-e-Islami activists protest with violence.
Oyasiqur Rahman Babu manage a blog that documented minority rights violations in Bangladesh. A group of at least three attackers killed him for his ideas. The police confirmed the arrest of two suspects.
The 14 families who lived in Chandantola are now refugees in a neighbouring town. Police arrested some of the local politicians who forced the Hindus to sell their properties at bargain prices, but the refugees complain of long-term persecution and sexual harassment of their young women.
The Xaverian missionary died on February 21. He had lived in the country for 48 years. His faithful remember him for his support during the war of liberation from Pakistan (1971) and for the spiritual direction he gave to priests, nuns, catechists and youth.
The workers were building the roof, when it collapsed. According to the fire department 10 or 20 dead bodies may still be under the rubble. At the time of the incident there were 90 people on site, but for one survivor there were "at least 150".
Catholics and Protestants, along with some Muslims, take part in a peaceful march. On 22 March, the churches of Bangladesh will celebrate a prayer service in memory of IS victims.
The Archdiocese of Dhaka organised a seminar during Lent to boost the spirituality of Catholic doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals. "Our God-given vocation" is to treat patients with love.
The suspect had been arrested previously for inciting attacks against writers and intellectuals. The murder victim, a US citizen of Bangladeshi origin, was hacked to death with a machete. Islamist extremists threatened publicly to kill him last year after the publication of his book 'Biswasher Virus,' Bengali for 'Virus of faith'.
The Asian country is a source and a transit point for victims. The cases involving women and children are the most documented, but men are victims are well. Boys under ten are more likely to be entangled in this traffic; girls tend to be aged 11 to 16. Some of victims go to the Gulf countries. In Bangladesh, the local Caritas helps the victims.
About 150 people were on board, but there is no official passenger list. The cargo ship's captain has been arrested. Rescuers continue searching for survivors, but hope to find people alive is fading. Relatives are desperate. Government and district leaders announce compensation for the victims' families.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council organised a peaceful demonstration in Dhaka. "Our leaders should use politics for the welfare of the people, not to cause harm," says a nun in Dinajpur.
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