Bangladesh Increased Political Turmoil.

Over 2014, Bangladesh was relatively calm politically. However, since January this year, there has been increasing tensions between the government and opposition parties. These tensions were sparked when  Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government banned an opposition demonstration, arresting hundreds of activists and confining the opposition leader Khaleda Zia to her office. This led to opposition groups declaring an indefinite blockade of road, rail and river transport.

The opposition party is calling for early elections, and the tension has escalated into violence, including fire bombings of buses and trains, with more than 50 people being killed so far. But the greatest impact of the transport blockade is economic, putting huge pressure on the garment industry, which accounts for 80% of Bangladesh’s exports, and the tourist industry, which is reporting empty hotels and a lack of tourist bookings. All of this is resulting in shortages of everyday commodities, job losses and people being afraid to leave their homes.
Each side is blaming the other for the escalating violence and resulting economic disaster. However, the ones suffering the most are the people unwittingly caught up in this continuing political stand-off, those who have lost their jobs, are living in fear and do not see any immediate hope for their future.
 

  • Pray for Bangladesh, for peace in the country and for a speedy and peaceful resolution to the political stand-off.
  • Pray for the blockade to be lifted so that trade can begin again and people can go back to work.
  • Pray for Bangladesh Christians to be ministers of peace and hope in their communities.

Psalm 46, vs 5 and 10: God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns. ‘Be still, and know that I am God! I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth.’

Source: Windows International – http://reporter.win1040.com

 

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