Bangladesh

Just as football fans in Bangladesh display the symbols of the World Cup teams, rows of white flags and processions of motorcyclists proclaiming the Islamic profession of faith are appearing on the streets. The organisers describe it as a “simple symbol” with no extremist intentions, but the country is debating the relationship between public expressions of faith and pluralism.

In line with the Church’s commitment to social justice. Eroded land is “not merely a resource”: it is linked to identity and survival. The “indissoluble” link between territorial rights and biodiversity was emphasised, as were the issues surrounding “eco-parks”. A call for concrete measures.

A local study has found that children in the capital of Bangladesh spend an average of almost five hours a day on their smartphones, with consequences for their health. Catholic educators are concerned: “The problem is becoming increasingly evident, from urban classrooms to family life.”

In northern Bangladesh, the project to erect one of Asia’s largest statues of the Hindu god Ram has been halted. Muslim leaders are calling for the statue’s permanent removal, whilst Christian and Hindu representatives denounce a climate of mounting pressure on non-Muslim communities.

A Missionary of the Immaculate Conception originally from Italy, she passed away at the age of 89 after a long illness. In 1989, she set up a sewing and handicraft centre in Natore to empower women and give them financial independence. She “was like our mother,” the beneficiaries say.

The Holy See created the diocese on 25 March in a remote and impoverished part of northern Bangladesh that is marked by cultural and religious diversity. PIME missionaries were the first to bring the Gospel to the area. Today, its first shepherd was ordained in Naogaon, at a ceremony attended by thousands of faithful. The new bishop told AsiaNews that he wants to promote prosperity and “interreligious harmony”.

At a school, university students had organised the screening of “Banolata Express”, a current box office success in Bangladesh. The show was halted to avoid unrest. Islamist leaders oppose the return of cinema to the city. The incident has sparked a wide debate about cultural and religious identities. For Rumeen Farhana, there is a risk of “leading our next generation into darkness.”

The girl had just won first place in her class exam and was about to celebrate her achievement, but was instead raped and murdered. Police arrested 34-year-old neighbour Sohel Rana and his wife. The pain of her classmates and the calls for justice (or revenge) reverberate across a shocked nation. For advocate Singha, child abuse “reflects a deep social failure” in society.

The water management project for the Himalayan river is back at the centre of discussions between Bangladesh, China and India. The Bangladeshi government, currently led by Tarique Rahman, is seeking support from Beijing, reigniting tensions with New Delhi over water resources and Chinese influence in the region. At stake are 1.5 million tonnes of rice a year that Dhaka loses due to poor irrigation.

The judges have ruled that disclosing the sex of the unborn child is a discriminatory and harmful practice, as well as being unconstitutional. The ruling comes at a time when the scourge of selective abortion, leading to the elimination of female foetuses, remains widespread. In the country, although abortions are formally permitted only to save the mother’s life, 1.58 million are performed annually, putting the health of many mothers at risk as well.

Farmers are trying to harvest the grains, which are not yet fully ripe, so as not to lose everything in the country’s “food cupboard”, where boro rice is the only major crop of the year. Authorities are concerned about the impact on food security. But people are pointing the finger at poorly planned embankments and blocked drainage systems that exacerbate the effects of the weather.

This year, the major pilgrimage to Makkah is set for 24-29 May. The desire to participate outweighs the fear of war, although concerns remain about rising prices, last-minute cancellations, and delayed return journeys. Saudi Arabia is using artificial intelligence to manage security and monitor pilgrims. Two million people are expected to participate.