Bangladesh (MNN) — Bangladesh is ready to start a new chapter under the leadership of Tarique Rahman. His Bangladesh Nationalist Party, or BNP, won last week’s general election in a landslide.
Bruce Allen of FMI says the true winners are Bangladeshis. “They have been living under a caretaker government for the last year and a half, and it has been chaotic,” Allen says.
“With this election, it seems that stability is returning to the country, and most likely, some needed reforms in the government. So, people are giving a big sigh of relief.”
A return to stability
Bangladeshis headed to the polls on February 12 for the first time since mass protests ousted long-time leader Sheikh Hasina in 2024. Uncertainty and instability followed, putting believers at risk. Christians also remained concerned in 2025 when it appeared radical Islamists would fill the leadership vacuum created by Hasina’s ouster.
Protestors in Bangladesh on August 2, 2024.
(Wikimedia Commons)
FMI partners continued Gospel work under the caretaker government “during this past year and a half, when there has been chaos socially, but they’ve had to be very careful,” Allen says.
Church planters hope Bangladesh’s return to stability under Rahman will remove some of the caution surrounding their work.
“They believe that the new prime minister is going to bring some reforms, healing to the nation, as well as stabilize the fragile economy, curbing inflation, things like that.”
Local BNP leaders recently extended an olive branch to the previously-banned Awami League political party, a move Allen calls both bold and encouraging.
“Many Bangladeshis found that to be stunning, as previously, any winning party or individual in an election immediately began treating their political opponents vindictively,” Allen says.
“Pastor Rajiv, one of our supported church planters in the country, said actions like that are very encouraging for Bangladesh, because [they mark] this shift away from vindictive tactics.”
Renewed hope
It’s been a tough season, with many Christians facing persecution in Muslim-majority Bangladesh. Now, however, “Christians in the country are feeling refreshed and invigorated by the election results, and they’re ready to hit the ground running,” Allen says.
A Bengali pastor poses for a portrait.
(Photo courtesy FMI)
FMI partners in one location hope a calmer atmosphere means their church can finally take shape. “That (construction) had been delayed because of persecution from radical Muslims in the area where the church was to be [built,]” Allen says.
“This week, it (construction) began again, so hopefully that will get completed soon. Our partners are excited.”
Pray for an upcoming training and Bible distribution in March.
“I’m in the middle of visiting several countries, and so are other staff members, so we cannot be in Bangladesh, but we’re going to participate via Zoom, so be praying for strong internet connections,” Allen says.
“Pray for the recipients of the Scriptures: if they’re believers, pray that they would have great understanding and obedience to God’s Word,” he continues.
“For those who are not yet followers of Jesus Christ, pray that what they read would captivate their hearts and they would fall in love with this Savior.”
Header image courtesy of Bornil Amin via Unsplash.
