‘My friends are my enemies’: Rahman’s story in Bangladesh

In some parts of Bangladesh, converting to Christianity from Islam can carry grave consequences. That’s part of the reason it’s ranked No. 30 on the 2023 World Watch List.

Rahman*, a believer who lives in a remote part of northern Bangladesh, knows this reality firsthand. He used to be an imam—a Muslim religious leader—who served at a local mosque for 10 years. He had studied at an Islamic religious school and was respected in his village. His community saw him as a local leader and would take his advice and counsel, especially when it came to religion and theology.

About five years ago, Rahman met a local Christian evangelist who encouraged him to read the Bible. Rahman knew some about Jesus from the Quran—which regards Jesus as a prophet—but after meeting the believer, Rahman was curious to find out more about this prophet. So he began reading the Bible.

Eventually, his interest in Jesus grew, and Rahman enrolled in a six-month course at a theological seminary. Through his studies, he accepted Jesus as Lord!

But the consequences of his life-changing decision were immediate—and severe.

He lost his job at the mosque and started working as a day laborer to provide for his family. But the mosque leaders also told the other locals that Rahman had converted to Christianity, and that no one should communicate with him or do any business with Rahman or his family. People were told to avoid Rahman at all costs because he might lead other Muslims to faith in Jesus.

He'd lost his entire community, friends and family. “Now, my friends are my enemies,” he says. “My relatives and neighbors hate me. I am the worst person in the village for them. I have no place in their hearts and even in the community.”

Since his conversion, the persecution has continued. People mock him and have labeled him a sinner, refusing to do business with him. As a day laborer, he struggles to make ends meet because no one will hire him—and even when he can find work, his wages are inadequate. When he asked for fair wages, his boss told him: “I will not give you any money. Do whatever you can. I would like to see who helps you.” People know Rahman can do nothing, and nobody will stand with him.

“Very recently, village leaders visited my home and tried to force me me to renounce my faith and go back to Islam,” Rahman says. “I directly denied them. I said to them, ‘This is my last and final decision: For the rest of my life, I will follow the Lord Jesus Christ. So please do not ask me to renounce.’ They became very angry and started arguing with me. The more I tried to escape, the more they approached me and became very aggressive toward me.”

The abuse has come closer to home, as well. Rahman remembers the pain he faced from his own family: “A few days ago, my father called me to his home and when I arrived there, he suddenly became very angry and said, ‘You b-----d. The villagers look [down on me] because of you. You destroyed all my goodwill and honor. I disown you! I abandon you! You are not my son anymore! You will get [no inheritance] from me. Depart from my sight!’”

Rahman is struggling to survive with his family in the village. Fighting alone with the community is very difficult and almost impossible, and his family struggles to find food. When local Open Doors partners heard about Rahman’s situation, they contacted him and his family to try to figure out the best way to support him and stand with him and his family.

But for now, Rahman wakes up every day uncertain of the future, haunted by the fear of death, knowing he has a wife and four young children relying on him.

“I do not know what will happen to my children,” he says. ‘We do not have a church where my children can learn the Bible or grow spiritually and practice Christianity. They are growing up without proper knowledge about their faith. I do not have a Christian community to live together. This is a difficult life.”

Rahman and his family need your prayers, as well as protection and security. They also need a Christian community where the children can learn more about Jesus and grow in knowledge about God and Bible. Our partners have told us this is how we can pray: