Christians in Bangladesh made a formal request to the
government to declare Easter Sunday a national holiday.
This Holy Thursday, April 17, various Christian groups will stage public
demonstrations to make their feelings known.
Bangladeshi Christians also requested that they, along with Buddhists and
Hindus, be allowed delegates at the Religious Affairs Ministry, just as the
Muslims have.
Christians also asked for more media space and permission to use street
decorations at Christmas and Easter. Two decades ago the government changed the
nation's weekend holiday from Saturday and Sunday to Friday and Saturday. This
means that Christians have Sunday Mass after working hours.
Buddhists in Bangladesh have a few recognized holidays. Christians have
Christmas but hope soon to have Easter. About 88% of Bangladesh's 133 million
people are Muslim.