Police nab Muslim who vandalized a church in Bangladesh

Police have nabbed a Muslim youth who vandalized a church in Bangladesh.
 
Nahid Sheikh, a Muslim youth, vandalized De Mazenod Church situated at Baridhara, Dhaka, the capital city in Bangladesh on May 4.
 
Police arrested Sheikh (28), for breaking St. Eugene and Mother Mary’s picture at Baridhara in De Mazenod Church.
 
“We strongly condemn this incident,” said a church leader of the Dhaka Capital city.
 
Sheikh confessed to police that he threw bricks willfully at St. Eugene de Mazenod and other Mary hurt the religious sentiment of Christians. A case has been filed by the church authority.
 
“The facade of the church was vandalized by a Muslim throwing brick which destroyed the two stain-glass images of St. Eugene de Mazenod and Mother Mary,” said Director of De Mazenod Church Father Subash Gomes, a member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate.  
 
“The incident was witnessed by the police who were stationed at the church entrance. The man was immediately stopped and caught by the police and later arrested and was taken to the Vatara Police Station,” said Father Gomes.
 
The police said they would take necessary action against him and keep the church authorities informed of the outcome. 
 
“The distressing incident has become a matter of concern for the Christian community. It was good that no one was injured from the falling glass,” the priest said. 
 
Some Church leaders said, “It is a sad incident for us. We never expected this kind of incident could happen.” 
 
Church officials say it was a “planned attack.” The Christian community has asked the government to find the mastermind of the incident and ensure exemplary justice. 

On the same church premises, there is a school and     Oblates Scholasticate. Priests and seminarians do charity work from the church for needy people.
 
Father Ajit Victor Costa, Bangladesh Oblate Delegation Superior said, “We thank our government and police forces for nabbing the culprit and taking immediate action.”          
 
“So, let us be united in fraternal spirit and brotherhood, a country born with that vision. We pray for the conversion of hearts of all who spread fanaticism,” said Father Costa. 
 
The Vatara police Officer in charge Sajadur Rahman visited the church and the officer assured justice to be done.  
 
Earlier in a separate incident, a Muslim youth Jannatul Ferdous, attacked Hatshika Catholic Church in the Rajshahi diocese on April 4.
 
The 22-year-old youth broke the cross of crucified Jesus, a sculpture of Mother Mary and Mother Teresa. He also tore the Holy Bible and other liturgical books. Later, police arrested him.  
 
Since, Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority country has seen an upsurge in Islamic militancy that has so far claimed the lives of over 50 people.
 
Those targeted by hardliner Islamists include liberal academics, publishers, gay rights activists, secular bloggers, foreigners, and religious minorities including Hindus, Shias, Ahmadis, and Christians.
 
The previous record says that four Christian missionaries including an Italian Catholic priest were attacked and two Christians were murdered by militants and more than ten have received death threats in the South Asia country. - Nikhil Gomes