BANGLADESH, March 7, 2016 (Christian Today): Amid a spate of attacks by Muslim extremists on people belonging to minority groups, Bangladesh is reportedly considering abandoning Islam as its official religion. A report by the Daily Mail said the country’s Supreme Court has started hearing arguments that challenge Islam’s status as the official religion of Bangladesh. The move comes amid incessant attacks by Islamic extremists on people of other faiths such as Hindus, Christians and minority Shi’ites.
Bangladesh declared itself as a separate country after it split with Pakistan in 1971. In 1998, the country declared Islam as its state region. Today, religious minority leaders are disputing this in the latest court battle. The debate also comes amid a U.S. warning that the terror group ISIS is stepping up recruitment in Bangladesh. Government authorities, however, maintain the extremist problems are “home grown.”
Muslims make up some 90 percent of Bangladesh’s population, while Hindus account for 8 percent and other religions–including Buddhism and Christianity–make up the rest.