Brutal attacks on Catholics in Bangladesh ‎

Two Catholics were seriously injured by unidentified attackers in the Bangladeshi capital on Thursday, in what is seen as continuing targeting of Christians by Islamist radicals in the overwhelmingly Muslim nation.  Rajesh D 'Cruze, a banker, and his brother Ranjan D' Cruze, working in a private company are currently being treated in Dhaka Medical College Hospital, after more than five men, savagely attacked them with guns and knives in Arjotpara neighbourhood. "This year there have been numerous incidents of violence against Christians,” Nirmal Rozario, general secretary of the Bangladesh Christian Association (BCA), told AsiaNews.  “We want a just punishment for those who committed this crime. We also urge the government to ensure justice and security for all,” he added.  The dynamics of the attack closely resemble the attempt on the life of Italian Fr. Piero Parolari, of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME), who was brutally attacked by unidentified criminals in Dinajpur last month.

In recent weeks, more than 30 Christian clergy members and aid workers in Bangladesh have received death threats. At least three pastors have escaped attempts on their lives.

Also on Thursday, three men attacked a Hindu temple in Dinajpur with bombs and guns, leaving 2 wounded and 7 less seriously.  Humayun Kabir, deputy inspector general of police for the northern region, told Reuters that the assailants attacked when one hundred people were gathered in the temple.  A similar attack on Dec. 5 on a Hindu religious gathering in the same area  injured at least six people, three of them critically.

Leaders of Bangladesh Jamiatul Ulama (BJU), a national body of Islamic scholars, have said local extremist groups and the Islamic State group, which have claimed responsibility for death threats and violent attacks on minorities, are indulging in activities antithetical to the teachings of Islam.  “Those who are resorting to terrorism and targeting Shi’ites and Church leaders in Bangladesh are un-Islamic. ... By launching terrorist attacks in the name of Islam, IS is also jeopardizing the lives of Muslims in pluralistic societies across the world,” said a statement by leaders of Bangladesh Jamiatul Ulama (BJU), a national body of Islamic scholars. “By sending death threats or attempting to kill the church leaders, they are aiming to kill their brothers and committing un-Islamic acts," BJU chaiman, Maulana Fariduddin Masoud, told VOA.  "All those who are indulging in such activities are not just the enemy of Islam, but are also enemies of Muslims,” Masoud added.