Sumon Corraya

The government wants to lower the minimum age for marriage: from 18 to 16 years for women, from 21 to 18 for men. Even today, 80% of girls are married before reaching the adulthood.

The President of the Episcopal Commission for Christian unity and interreligious dialogue sends his greetings to the Muslim community for the Eid al-Adha, the "Feast of Sacrifice". It honors the prophet’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael.

At a meeting with the press in New York, Abdul Latif Siddique criticised the annual pilgrimage to Makkah, one of the pillars of Islam. Muhammad created it because Arab people were robbers. Then "he introduced a system stating that his followers will assemble once a year. Through this system," some "income would be generated". For the minister, "It is sheer waste of manpower." Now he could be arrested after a complaint was filed against him.

October 5 in Bangladesh is the National Day for the Family. Msgr. Ponen Paul Kubi, Chairman of the Episcopal Commission for Family Life (Ec-Fl), exhorts the faithful to follow the principles of the Gospel and take Joseph and Mary as an example to follow. He asks for prayers for the Synod on the Family in Rome.

The Supreme Court has upheld an appeal by Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, vice president of Jamaat-e-Islami (Islamic fundamentalist party). In 2013, an international tribunal for war had sentenced him to death for crimes against humanity.

The Diocese of Rajshahi organised its 13th annual pastoral Meeting on the topic of 'Evangelisation in Christian families'. To overcome everyday problems, people must "live according to the teachings of Christ."

The parish priest in Dhaka's De Mazenod Church tells AsiaNews about the challenges faced by members of his congregation. The community is made up of people from other dioceses in the country. Distances and work have put strains on couples, favouring extra-marital affairs and undermining people's spiritual life.

Together with six other non-governmental organizations, the Catholic section of Chittagong has planted trees for 16 miles on a provincial road frequently used by tourists. This can help avoid landslides during the rainy season and the environment. The thanks of the local government.

Tuesday marked the 37th anniversary of the death of Dhaka's first Bangladeshi bishop. For a young Catholic, he is "a guide to follow in life." Already a Servant of God, he is undergoing the process of canonisation process.

The torrential rains that are hitting the country have devastated 19 of 64 national districts. Over 20 thousand houses under water, the authorities close schools: if the situation does not change, all of these buildings will have to be demolished. The victims helpless, while the government admits: "We are not able to help everyone."

In 1947 the Hindus in the then East Pakistan were 28% of the population, they are now below 8.5% and continue to decline day by day. The Prime Minister Hasina launched an appeal in favor of a multi-religious country in which all citizens are equal, but experts argue: "They have no protection and no justice, so they flee".

The PIME missionary died in Lecco (Italy) at the end of July. For 57 years, he served in the Diocese of Dinajpur and Rajshahi, where he built schools, dispensaries and parishes. His support for pro-independence forces during the War of Liberation from Pakistan in 1971 proved fundamental.