News / Thoughts

Bangladesh: Teenage Christian commits suicide

Trigger warning:

This article speaks about suicide. Please do not read if you know it will be unhelpful for you. If you’re struggling, please talk to someone. Please find someone you trust, or, if there’s no-one that you can think of, try contacting Childline. They can give advice, support and help, so do get in touch with them. Lastly, pray. Pray for yourself. Ask God to protect and be with you. Ask for his love and grace, as it is always big enough, no matter what we’re going through.

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We hear some really tragic stories from our partners in the field, and sadly this is one of them. It’s about a 16 year old called Chongya and his older brother Singya. They were brought up as Buddhists in an eastern part of Bangladesh but, through their grandparents, had both become Christians last year – a pretty courageous and brave decision.

Tragically, Chongya committed suicide on 7th February after months of pressure and threats from his parents. His mum and dad consistently tried for force Chongya and Singya to return to Buddhism, but the brothers refused. They were recently kicked out of their parents house. Chongya had been saving money for his future, and his parents were looking after it for him, but when he asked for it back, they refused – and said many hurtful things to him.

A few days later, Chongya took his own life. An Open Doors partner heard about the incident and travelled to meet with the family. He took the funeral and said that Chongya’s parents were arguing, blaming each other for their son’s death.

Singya, Chongya’s older brother, is now staying with his grandparents who are Christians, but he’s understandably devastated by the loss of Chongya.

The cost of converting when young…

It is sadly common for believers who convert from other faiths in Bangladesh to face persecution from their families, friends and community. The most vulnerable are young people who are still dependent on their parents. With no means to leave home and start a new life, they are forced to stay with their families, which can mean enduring mental and physical abuse on a daily basis.

Open Doors is reaching out to young Christians in Bangladesh various discipleship programs that aim to strengthen faith and build community, so young people can find support and help.

This really is a tragic, sad story. So please pray for Singya and his family. We know that this isn’t an easy story. We also know many of us struggle with our mental health and have dark thoughts, especially when (like Chongya) the people that are supposed to love and protect us, do the opposite of that. If you’re struggling, please talk to someone. Please find someone you trust, or, if there’s no-one that you can think of, try contacting Childline. They can give advice, support and help, so do get in touch with them. Lastly, pray. Pray for yourself. Ask God to protect and be with you. Ask for his love and grace, as it is always big enough, no matter what we’re going through.

Pray now…

• For God to comfort the Singya. Pray for him to be able to overcome the trauma and forgive his parents
• For his safety, and that he’ll not be tempted to also think about suicide. Pray for him to find hope to go on living and grow in his faith in Christ.
• For God to give wisdom to his grandparents and other believers on how best to care for him and encourage him.
• For Chongya’s parents to come to know Jesus and find healing, forgiveness and comfort in Jesus.
• For the church in Bangladesh, that they will stand alongside young believers so that they will not lose hope like Chongya.
• For our partners as they find ways to encourage young believers who are facing persecution from family members.

Free prayer map and stickers…

Want to learn more about, and get inspired by, the brave faith of Christians living in some of the places most opposed to following Jesus? Get our awesome new 2020 World Watch List prayer map and stickers – it’s free. Plus we have an awesome session outline for youth leaders which includes a massive A1 map too. Get them for free at the link below:
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