A Bible is all that survived horror arson attack on Christians

A Bible was all that was left after a Christian convert in Bangladesh lost his home in a fire which he believes was started by fellow villagers.

Since then, Rafiqul, aged 60, and his family of nine have since been sleeping under the open skies with just a small plastic roof for cover.

Rafiqul's local pastor said: "The neighbouring Muslims have been persecuting the family for the last couple of months.

"A group have previously attacked the family and even filed a false report stating that Rafiqul harassed them.

"They have been trying to grab their land and property for a long time."

Rafiqul believes that his Muslim neighbours want him out of the village and that they are likely to be behind what he strongly suspects is an arson attack.

He thinks they are trying to push him to leave the village because he converted to Christianity.

Open Doors sources say that no one in the neighbourhood was willing to help the family because of their conversion away from Islam.

The family had been out working on August 25 when the blaze was started and have been left with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

Open Doors is a global NGO network which has supported and strengthened persecuted Christians for over 60 years and works in over 60 countries. Open Doors provides practical support to persecuted Christians such as food, medicines, trauma care, legal assistance, safe houses and schools, as well as spiritual support through Christian literature, training and resources.

News
Egyptian Christian killed in Libya after refusing to deny Jesus
Egyptian Christian killed in Libya after refusing to deny Jesus

He was killed despite the family paying a ransom.

Widow of Christian killed in Nigeria takes plea for persecuted Christians to Downing Street
Widow of Christian killed in Nigeria takes plea for persecuted Christians to Downing Street

A Nigerian widow who witnessed Boko Haram militants shoot her husband dead after he identified himself as a Christian is joining a delegation handing in a petition to Downing Street on Thursday.

PayPal updates policies on 'hate' and 'intolerance'
PayPal updates policies on 'hate' and 'intolerance'

A number of financial institutions have changed their policies in recent years.

Catholic Church expresses 'serious concern' about proposed conversion therapy ban
Catholic Church expresses 'serious concern' about proposed conversion therapy ban

Efforts to ban so-called 'conversion therapy' are underway across the United Kingdom.