Christian Stabbed to Death
7 May 2003 Christian evangelist becomes Bangladesh’s first martyr in modern times following attack by at least seven Muslim extremists armed with knives. Just after midnight, early in the morning of 24 April Hridoy Roy was returning home after showing a film version of Luke’s Gospel. As he approached his house seven or eight people attacked him, stabbing him seven times. He died instantly. Hridoy Roy was a Bangladeshi evangelist and regularly used to put on the film, known as the Jesus Film. He is believed to be the first martyr in Bangladesh in modern times, if not ever; local believers feel that he will not be the last. They are in a state of deep shock, mourning and great fear following this tragic attack. In Islamic law (Shari’ah) conversion from Islam to another faith (apostasy) is punishable by death. This is a deep seated tradition among Muslims and those who do convert, if not killed, are often subject to beatings and having their possessions and family taken away from them. This is the fundamental reason for the antipathy that most Muslims hold towards those who try to proselytise in their communities. It goes a long way towards explaining why they are sometimes willing to take such draconian measures to make sure that none of their community will be corrupted. PRAY Pray for comfort, love and support for Hridoy’s family at this devastating time. Ask that they will know the Lord’s presence in the midst of their grief. Pray for protection and encouragement for other believers and Christian workers in Bangladesh, many of whom have ministries in dangerous areas. Pray that moderate Muslims will push for changes in the Apostasy law. BARNABAS FUND E-MAIL NEWS SERVICE The Barnabas Fund’s e-mail news service provides our supporters with short urgent news briefs and prayer requests for suffering Christians around the world. Please do share these news items with your Christian friends and churches. All news items are available on our website in a more colourful user-friendly presentation format which you can access, print and pass on. If you are not already receiving these news briefs directly from the Barnabas Fund and would like to, please contact us with your name, postal and e-mail addresses, and details of the church you attend. The Barnabas Fund, The Old Rectory, River Street, PEWSEY, Wiltshire, SN9 5DB, UK, Tel 01672 564938, Fax 01672 565030, E-mail info@barnabasfund.org Web www.barnabasfund.org