Dominica - Kerk In Nood

fears are growing that some tribals are fanning the flames to re-start the
insurgency that ended with a peace deal in 1997 after more than 20 years of war.
Initially deemed unConstitutional, the Chittagong Hill Tracts peace accord was
eventually upheld by the current government, but has proven ineffective.
Steps taken by the implementation commission, which is charged with examining
land disputes, have satisfied no one. One step that remains largely symbolic
was the pledge to remove Bangladeshi troops. In fact, some 400 military camps
still exist in the area.
Catholic schools
Although a tiny minority, Catholics are noted for the quality of their schools.
Graduates from missionary schools and Catholic universities are the best students
in Bangladesh, this according to mid-year data that place schools like Notre
Dame College, the Holy Cross School and College, St Joseph and St Placid at
the top of the national ranking. BANGLADESHNow
Overall, the Catholic Church runs 52 high schools, four universities, a teachers’
college and many elementary schools across the country8 .
Interfaith meetings
On April 16 2011 the Ahmadiyya (originally from India) and Christian communities
of Dhaka took part in a joint conference, with some 175 participants, about
80 Christians and 95 Ahmadis.
The outcome of the meeting was very positive. “Both the Christian and the Ahmadi
communities are minorities in Bangladesh”, said Fr Francesco Rapacioli (PIME),
who organised the event through the “Shalom” ecumenical movement he runs.
“There is a certain gulf between them”, he explained. “We are also ethnically a
minority since more than half of all Christians are tribal and indigenous. They are
different, and not well known. Yet, not only did they welcome us to their centre,
but they also offered us refreshments and made their publications available to us.
They did this, in my opinion, to show that they are a community with whom we
can open up, engage in dialogue and meet. Now they know they can meet and
discuss peacefully with someone. It is as if they found allies” 9 .
8 AsiaNews, January 20 th 2012
9 Ibid., April 19 th 2011