My name is C.A. Halder; I am 33 years-old and from a Bangladeshi Christian family. Since my childhood, I’ve been active in different Christian organizations.

As the executive director and secretary general of the Christian Humanitarian Foundation, I became a target of Bangladesh Islamic Chaatra Shibir, an Islamic fundamentalist group that is the wing of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (Islamic political party). My family and I have experienced threats, mistreatment, and harm. An Islamic fundamentalist group, namely Bangladesh Islamic Chaatra Shibir – the wing of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami – attacked me, physically torturing me and my family; they threatened and attempted to murder me because of my faith as well as for my stance on proper judgment of war criminals and Jamaat-e-Islami.

Pro-Jamaat-e-Islami protesters attack an Auto RIcksaw

Between 2009-2011, locally active leaders of Bangladesh Islamic Chaatra Shibir warned me to stop the activities of my organization or they would go after my family.

On August 15, 2009, a group of Bangladesh Islamic Chaatra Shibir members on 4 motorcycles stopped my auto ricksaw. They identified themselves as members of Bangladesh Islamic Chaatra Shibir and as soldiers of Allah. I was told to stop my activities or harm would come to my family.

On February 2, 2012, while on my way to work, a group of four Bangladesh Islamic Chaatra Shibir members attacked my Auto rickshaw, punched my face, hit me on my head and kicked me. A gun was pointed at my forehead and they asked me why I was still continuing anti-Islamic works. They shouted at me that it was their final warning.

The police would not take my case; they would only let me file a robbery complaint for items I had stolen during the attack.

The country rose up in the platform of Ganajagaran Mancha (People rise up platform) with the claim of proper judgement of war criminals and banning Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and its wings. I and CHF showed our solidarity with Ganajagaran Mancha. I again became a target of rage.

On March 4, 2013, some members of Bangladesh Islamic Chaatra Shibir came to my house with guns and knives searching for me. This time, I was at work.

Bangladesh Islamic Chaatra Shibir

However, my parents, brother and sister-in-law tried to flee through our backdoor to safety but were caught. They sexually harassed my sister-in-law in front of my parents and elder brother. They severely beat my father and elder brother. They threatened my family that they would kill me wherever they find me and said that I am an enemy of Islam and don’t have right to be alive. After that event I was very scared and in fear for my life. I decided not to return home.

On March 15, 2013 I was on my way to Anthapara, riding a motorcycle to work. I noticed that a jeep had been following me for some minutes. The jeep suddenly attempted to run over my bike. However, I rapidly drove to a low area by the side of the hilly road, where I fell off the bike. They began shouting, “Allah akbar” at me while brandishing firearms and long knives; I rushed toward a jungle. Running through the jungle, I took shelter in an indigenous village and returned to Bandarban city next day.

On December 7, 2005, I was arrested and detained by the on a charge of distributing the Holy Bible and leaflets of Good News in the Foyej lake park. After enduring torture and harassment by police, I was released after 48 hours without any charges filed.

I know what it’s like to be under constant threat of being killed, my family members have suffered cruelty and there have been attempts to murder me by Bangladesh Islamic Chaatra Shibir, because of what I do.

Bangladesh Islamic Chaatra Shibir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami are committing acts of violence, murder, kidnapping and other attacks of religious minority communities throughout the country.

Bloggers, non-islam believers, moderate Muslims, activists, general people and even police are being attacked, tortured and killed by them. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and other Islamic groups are now moving and committing violence throughout the country. Blasphemy laws are being enforced by mobs. Government is taking no active role in banning this group. Instead, it shows support in many instances.

Even police are under threat by Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh.

On April 6, 2013, I finally fled Bangladesh and made it to the U.S. and have applied for asylum. I recently received a work permit and Identity card from California. My asylum case is still pending at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

I have tried to find work but have been unsuccessful. Without a home, I move from door to door among Bangladeshi Christian people for shelter and food. They have told me that they can no longer do this.

It is for this reason that I must find work and shelter elsewhere. When that day comes, I will continue to dedicate my life to Christ and contribute to the expansion of His Kingdom.

We are appealing to our readers to help find C.A. Halder a job. He is educated, speaks English and has a Bachelor of Science in computers. He has primarily worked with Christian non-profits in Bangladesh.

If you have any position in Computer field whether in Christian or secular business please contact us at [email protected] or call 1 877 832 7200.