The testimony to AsiaNews of the priest who teaches at the department of religions at the public university in a country with an overwhelming Muslim majority: ‘For many here it is the first opportunity in their lives to deal with a Christian. I never enter the classroom without wearing my collar and cross. Education has a fundamental role in dispelling ignorance and promoting empathy and dialogue’.

In the last 15 years, the Bangladesh Chhatra League has been a tool of repression for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's party and its members have been charged in connection with dozens of very serious crimes. The student movement that led to the resignation of the former government had given the current administration a week to ban the organisation.

The monsoon season is ending with new floods in the north. As in August, the impact of climate change is weighing heavily. Remote areas are unreachable. Sr. Rony Gomes: ‘inhuman conditions’ due to lack of food. There are 1474 families helped by Christian organisations.

The return to freedom of expression, following the fall of the former prime minister, opened up space for extremist movements and groups. In recent street demonstrations, Islamic State-like banners have appeared. Police and law enforcement agencies are in action to avert an extremist escalation, but there are concerns among minorities, including Christians.

Since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign, attacks against minority Hindus have intensified. Some statues have been recently destroyed and vandalised at Hindu temples. To ensure the Hindu holiday takes place in a calm atmosphere, Bangladesh’s new government is deploying its security forces.

Mahmudur Rahman, a long-time opponent of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was convicted in a dubious trial of planning to kidnap her son Joy. The journalist’s defence team calls the charges, “fabricated and baseless allegations in a farcical trial.” After his return to Bangladesh from Turkey, he was granted bail.