Bangladesh police assure robust security for Christmas celebrations following recent attacks on churches, as Christian leaders voice fears ahead of the festival.
Newsroom (18/12/2025 Gaudium Press ) In a Muslim-majority nation where Christians constitute less than 1 percent of the population, Bangladesh‘s police administration has pledged special security measures to ensure peaceful celebrations of Christmas and the upcoming Thirty-First Night, amid heightened concerns from the minority community.
On December 17, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baharul Alam provided this assurance during a high-level discussion in Dhaka between law enforcement officials and Christian leaders. The meeting, attended by senior police personnel in the capital and virtually by police chiefs from all 64 administrative districts, focused on safeguarding the main religious festival of Christians and the New Year’s Eve festivities known as Thirty-First Night.
“Christmas is a universal festival. The police are on alert around Christmas. With the capabilities of the Bangladesh Police, we will be able to celebrate Christmas and the Thirty-First Night in a peaceful environment,” Alam stated during the session.
The police chief emphasized a zero-tolerance approach to disruptions, warning that immediate legal action would be taken against any individual or group attempting to undermine communal harmony through misleading social media posts, comments, or images. To counter potential rumors, cyber monitoring will be intensified.
Christian leaders used the platform to highlight recent security threats, including crude bomb attacks on at least two churches and one educational institution, as well as threatening letters sent to Catholic-run schools under the name “Tawhidee Muslim Janata,” meaning “faithful Muslim people.” They described this year’s Christmas as particularly challenging and urged strengthened protections.
Nirmol Rozario, president of the Bangladesh Christian Association, expressed relief at the dialogue but underscored ongoing anxieties. “We have told our concerns to the administration. We are particularly concerned about the recent cocktail explosions at religious institutions,” he told Crux. Rozario noted that with national elections approaching, certain groups might target Christians, prompting the community to seek heightened vigilance from authorities.
Catholic leaders have observed increased police activity this year compared to previous ones. Father Albert Rozario, parish priest of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Dhaka, acknowledged greater concerns within the community but expressed confidence in the assurances received. “The police chief has assured us of all kinds of security to celebrate Christmas in a festive atmosphere and we are also assured,” he added.
Bangladesh’s population of approximately 180 million is predominantly Muslim, at around 90 percent, with Hindus and other minorities comprising the remainder. Christians, a small fraction, have historically celebrated religious festivals without major disruptions, but recent incidents have sown unease.
In rural areas, apprehension runs deeper. Pradeep Mandal, a 36-year-old Catholic from the southern Khulna diocese, voiced skepticism about the effectiveness of security efforts. “We are still thinking about whether we will take our children to church on the night before Christmas. Because we are afraid and apprehensive that some incident may occur on Christmas,” he told Crux. Mandal cautioned that superficial measures, as seen in past years, would prove insufficient.
In response to these concerns, police headquarters issued directives to district-level chiefs to implement maximum security protocols. Recommendations from the meeting included bolstering church protections through volunteer recruitment coordinated with law enforcement and organizers, ensuring adequate lighting, and providing standby generators or charger lights.
The proactive engagement signals the administration’s commitment to fostering a secure environment for minority religious observances in a diverse society increasingly alert to potential communal tensions.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Crux Now
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