Unrest stirs in Bangladesh, translation work continues

By March 7, 2013

Bangladesh (MNN) — Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, and over 90% of its people adhere to Islam.

The country's largest Islamic party, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), is currently at-odds with the Bangladeshi government. At least 60 people have died so far in ongoing clashes between police and activists.

In February, the country's president signed a new law allowing entire organizations to be tried for war crimes. This began the unrest, as protestors demanded harsher punishments for war criminals. The conflict heightened after a top JI leader was sentenced to death last week for war crimes allegedly committed during Bangladesh's 1971 fight for independence.

In light of the tension Bangladesh faces right now, your prayers are vitally important for a Bible translation project to reach completion.

A Wycliffe Bible Translators team is translating the New Testament into a local Bangladeshi language. According to Operation World, there are 46 dialects spoken in Bangladesh, and 88% of its people groups are unreached.

Over the next several months, a team of translators and consultants will revise and check the final books as the project nears completion. The team hopes to have the New Testament ready for print by fall 2013.

In addition to preparing God's Word for printing, the team is also producing Scripture-based media products for the largely oral community.

Ask God to guard the team's time, health, and technical equipment. Pray that He will prepare the hearts of Bangladeshis to receive His Word.

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