The Christians living in several refugee camps of Coxโs Bazar have not gotten land to set up a church or for a graveyard. They secretly bury their near and dear ones in Muslim graveyards as Muslim corpses.
Stones are thrown on the tin-shed roofs of the temporary churches and the shanties of the Christians.
Armed groups such as the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) frequently use verbal abuse and threats in the camps to further their radical Islamist agenda.
The Christians account for between 2,000 and 2,500, against a population of over 1.1 million Rohingya Muslims. They mainly live in camps 13 and 27 and at the transit center.
Recently, the ARSA jihadists pasted posters of three young Christians within the camps and spread videos on social media, demanding their execution for alleged blasphemous acts.
The fatwa was issued by an Islamic scholar and cleric studying at the Hathazari Madrasa in Chattogram, based in Camp-15 Jamtoli.
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Fearing for their lives, the youths have informed the Bangladeshi authorities and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), seeking security.
Constant harassment
The ARSA jihadists influence the common Muslims to hate the Christians and ostracise them. They consider it an Islamic movement.
Some Bengali officials and residents in the adjoining areas also advocate conversion to Islam.
The dreadful memories of January 26, 2020, still haunt the Christians when the radical Muslims abducted two persons, injured over a dozen others, and vandalised their churches and schools.
Over the years, some Christians have been forced to convert to Islam, while others are pressured to convert voluntarily.
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A letter to Bangladesh authorities and the UNHCR by the Rohingya Christians Worldwide warns of terrible consequences.
The Christians say that if the current fatwa is carried out, it could result in repeating the 2020 violence against Rohingya Christians at Kutupalong.
Mob violence against Rohingya Christians led to horrifying atrocities, including rape, kidnapping, murder, ransacking of personal belongings, destruction of churches and desecration of religious materials including the tearing of Bibles, the letter said.
โAdditionally, it has been reported that unfamiliar Rohingya Muslims from other camps have approached Rohingya Christians in Thaingkhali, coercing them to visit mosques and participate in religious ceremonies.โ
It said the situation in Thaingkhali and Camp-27 Dumdumia requires immediate attention due to heightened fears and ongoing harassment, including incidents of stoning.
ARSA chief remanded in 2020 murder case
ARSA chief Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi has been placed on a three-day remand in connection with the murder of four people in the Kutupalong refugee camp in 2020.
Ataullah was brought to court under tight security and later returned to Coxโs Bazar Jail following the hearing.
According to the case, the murder occurred on October 6, 2020, during a violent clash between rival factions in the camp in Ukhiya. Four individuals were killed. The CID is currently leading the investigation.
Ataullah and six other ARSA members were arrested on March 18, 2025, in separate operations in Shiddhirganj (Narayanganj) and Mymensingh.
Since his arrest, ARSA members and supporters among the Bangladeshi Islamist parties have demanded his release at various demonstrations in Dhaka, including the March for Gaza, and on social media.
Analysts say that currently, the ARSA is regrouping in the camps to resume its fight against the Arakan Army, which has occupied most of the Rakhine State by defeating the military.
Meanwhile, the issue of the UN-backed humanitarian corridor for the stranded people of Rakhine has gained momentum and raised serious concerns.
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