Bangladeshi Christians hope Easter will be a national holiday soon

( April,08, 2010) The Christians of Bangladesh hope that Easter Sunday will soon be recognised as a national holiday. Promode Mankin, state minister of cultural affairs, a Catholic belonging to the Garo ethnic group, said that Christians have been waiting to see Easter Sunday recognised as a national holiday for the past 30 years. He told Asia News that he raised the issue in the cabinet for the first time, that the government should declare Easter a national holiday, but a strong popular movement must back the move, as it is opposed by many Muslims.
In the meantime, last Easter Sunday, Bangladeshi Christians shared the joy of the Resurrection of the Lord with Muslims and Hindus, despite threats from Muslim extremists. Minister Mankin said he was aware of the threats and added that he was working to ensure their safety.