DHAKA, Bangadesh, MARCH 5, 2003 (ZENIT.org-Fides).- 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.
ZE03030624 - 2003-03-06
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-6719?l=english
Christians in Bangladesh Want Easter Declared a National Holiday
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