"I believe in Christ. I welcomed Him... He is my Savior," says "Vincent" (name made up for security reasons), a former imam from Bangladesh who has become a Christian and for this reason has suffered persecution from the community of his birthplace for a long time.
His faith journey towards conversion began abroad, far from Bangladesh. He was baptized and found a Christian woman whose denomination he joined. When they arrived in Bangladesh, they were greeted with threats and violence. Members of the local community beat him almost to death.
Islam is the state religion in Bangladesh, but the constitution does not recognize Sharia and guarantees freedom of religion. This makes the country one of the most open Muslim states, where conversions from Islam can take place in a generally tolerant atmosphere.
However, the social and cultural dominance of Islam means that when people convert from Islam, they come under all kinds of pressure. In some cases, notaries refuse to sign documents confirming conversions. In other cases, like that of the former imam, people resort to physical and psychological violence.
After almost two months in hospital, Vincent is now back home, but the same Muslims who followed him and had great respect for him when he was imam cannot accept his new "status".
Beating is not enough either. Other forms of violence can be used. Both he and his wife have experienced being frozen out and forced to move from place to place. Vincent eventually lost his job and now has to survive by taking whatever odd jobs come his way.
Today, he is a man in trouble. Yet the exclusion from his community has not pushed him away from Jesus. He continues to attend church more than ever before, and he repeats: "I believe in Christ. I was born again in Him. He is my Savior."
Based on article by Maria Gomes, AsiaNews
