Vatican officials said the trip is intended to engage with the Islamic world and address broader challenges of coexistence amid global tensions.The Algeria leg will be the first stop in a wider travel that includes Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, covering approximately 18,000 kilometers between April 13 and 23.

During his visit to Algiers, Pope Leo XIV is scheduled to meet President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and address government officials and diplomats. He will also visit the Great Mosque of Algiers and meet members of the Catholic community, while holding private prayers for clergy killed during Algeria’s civil war in the 1990s.

A key moment of the trip will come in Annaba, historically associated with Saint Augustine, whose legacy has influenced the pope’s spiritual outlook. Leo, formerly Robert Francis Prevost and a member of the Augustinian order, has often described himself as a “son” of Augustine.

The visit comes as rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, EuroMed Rights and MENA Rights Group, have urged the Vatican to address concerns over restrictions on religious minorities in Algeria.

Algerian officials and local media have highlighted the symbolic significance of the visit, describing it as a reflection of the country’s stability and its role in fostering dialogue on the global stage.

The trip unfolds against the backdrop of ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with the Vatican emphasizing a message centered on interfaith understanding and peaceful coexistence.

This situation clearly showed that in the new Bangladesh, if you are Hindu, fighting for your rights is considered sedition.

Bangladesh in 2025 feels like a place weighed down by memories. While the events of 1971 linger in the air, the reality on the ground seems more like the partition era of 1947. The once hopeful vision of a Bangladesh where Hindus and Muslims could join hands to create a unified nation has been eroded by the passage of time and the impact of politics.

Today, speaking against India is no longer just a slogan on the streets. It casts a dark shadow over every Hindu teacher, lawyer, and activist who is brave enough to express their views.

The Reported Persecution

Get in touch with Chinmoy Krishna Das’s family. He was a monk who became an activist. His arrest for sedition in late 2024 deeply affected the Hindu community. Why was he arrested? He demanded constitutional protections for minorities. This action sparked not only protests but also violence. Temples were destroyed by fire, homes were robbed. This situation clearly showed that in the new Bangladesh, if you are Hindu, fighting for your rights is considered sedition.

Utsav Mondal was taken and beaten in a police station because of a Facebook post. He survived, but it sent a clear warning: staying quiet is safer. People speak quietly about Bhavesh Chandra Roy, another demised Hindu leader admired for his bravery. Teachers, lawyers, and everyday Hindu citizens find themselves part of a crossfire that battles with history and the future.

Human rights groups and the BBC have been reporting issues faced by Hindus in Bangladesh, particularly after political changes in the country. Hindus are often pressured to prove they are not in support of India as anti-India hatred among the extremists grow stronger. 

In Bangladesh, a troubling wave of violence and fear forced at least 49 minority teachers to resign. These teachers faced physical attacks and threats. Sajib Sarkar from the Bangladesh Chhatra Oikya Parishad shared that out of all the teachers who left their jobs, only 19 were able to return. Across the country, this situation has left classrooms and staff rooms empty and damaged.

Besides targeting homes and temples, attackers are also focusing on schools, where the future generation is being educated. In today’s Bangladesh, even a simple blackboard for education has become unsafe for minority groups.

From August 5 to 20, there were 2,010 incidents of communal violence, resulting in the death of nine people belonging to a minority community. Additionally, a report by TIB highlighted that religion-based politics is gaining more influence in Bangladesh.

The unreported Persecution

In this setting, Tulsi Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence, expressed concern: “The ongoing problems of persecution, killing, and mistreatment of religious minorities—Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Catholics, and others—are a big issue for the US government.” For Hindus in Bangladesh, fear is a longstanding issue, but recent silence about it is something new.

British Journalist Sahar Zand walks through the remains of a burned Hindu barn in northern Bangladesh, calling the scene “gut-wrenching.” A year’s worth of harvest has been destroyed, and the farmer is too scared to speak, his silence a sign of the community’s fear.

Zand’s BBC documentary reveals details that headlines often miss. She notes that “Attacks on the Hindu community happen daily, with 8 to 9 cases reported each week in Northern Bangladesh,” according to local activist Bonamali.

She highlights the despair by mentioning that “Most people are planning to leave. They’ve already packed their important belongings. Every Hindu in Bangladesh has this plan,” a voice shared with her. Zand shows that the violence against Hindus is ongoing, their silence is forced, and often the world is looking away.

At the sidelines event of United Nations, Journalist Sahar Zand stands strongly and speaks the truth that many avoid: “Minorities in Bangladesh are facing attacks. I witnessed it myself, and it’s very frightening. The world needs to pay attention.”

Zand, who has reported from conflict zones such as Afghanistan and Iran, describes Bangladesh as “extremely terrifying.” This is not due to what is in the news, but because of what is not being reported.

“The situation in the country is not being shown in the international media. It feels like the world is ignoring it,” she warns with a clear and strong voice. For Hindus in Bangladesh, Zand’s comments are a rare sign—showing that someone is watching, even as the silence becomes overwhelming.

How Interim Regime Controls Media?

American Researcher and former Pentagon official Michael Rubin attended congressional briefing stated: “Bangladeshi journalists and civil society are in danger. At the same time, Yunus is spending a lot of money to promote his image in international media,” he says. He highlights that the arrest of Farzana Rupa and Shakil Ahmed is now a regular occurrence under the Interim government.

Rubin points out that more than a thousand journalists have lost their jobs for being “too secular,” making newsrooms dangerous for those who don’t align with the authorities’ views.

Political Expert Chris Blackburn, who has been observing the situation in Bangladesh for many years, warns about ongoing efforts by the interim authorities to intimidate and silence the press. His concerns are felt in every newsroom, where editors think twice before deciding to publish.

In Dhaka, journalists are learning to be extremely cautious which is leading to censorship of news about minorities and persecution. Therefore, reports like at-least 49 minority teachers persecution could possibly only be a trailer of the incident. 

 Interim’s lack of accountability Diplomacy

The Interim government in Dhaka often denies reports about attacks on Hindus. They claim these reports are just made-up stories from social media or have political motives. When India raises its concerns, Dhaka’s government accuses India of interfering in its affairs and puts the false blame on Sheikh Hasina’s supporters or outside troublemakers. Instead of dealing with the violence, like the killing of Bhabesh Chandra Roy—which India says shows ongoing persecution—the government’s spokesperson criticizes India.

They talk about communal issues in West Bengal regarding Waqf Bill which is a policy driven issue and nothing to do with targeted minority persecution. They prefer this diplomatic sorcery possibly to make false comparisons based on tactical disinformation. Instead, the Interim Government’s rhetoric fuels mob violence as radical supporters of the interim government declare war against India, Seven Sisters and Hindus getting inspired and radicalized from the theocratic Ghazwa E Hind (Battle against Hindus) sourced from broader Islamic literature (Hadith).

Dhaka surprisingly disregarded DNI Tulsi Gabbard’s statement as misleading, which shows how relentless Bangladeshi authorities are to sabotage facts on persecution. But why Dhaka hasn’t been able to refute Journalist Sahar Zand’s field-based report of unreported persecution of Hindus remains a riddle. 

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not reflect Milli Chronicle’s point-of-view.

The UAE’s Interior Ministry identified the convicted individuals as Olimpi Toirovich, 28, Makhmudjon Abdurakhim, 28, and Azizbek Kamlovich, 33. Authorities arrested the three men shortly after the crime, launching a swift investigation and legal proceedings.

Rabbi Kogan, 28, a young emissary dedicated to fostering Jewish life in the region, was reported missing on November 21, 2024. Three days later, his body was discovered in Al Ain, near the Omani border, sending shockwaves through the Jewish community and beyond.

The tragic loss of the young rabbi, who managed a kosher supermarket in Dubai and played a key role in Jewish outreach, has raised concerns about the safety of Jewish residents and visitors in the Gulf region.

According to reports, the suspects acted under orders from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and had been tracking Rabbi Kogan’s movements before abducting and killing him. This revelation has heightened tensions in an already sensitive geopolitical landscape.

The UAE’s swift legal response reflects its commitment to justice and the safety of its diverse communities. Emirati authorities have been praised for their decisive action, reinforcing the nation’s stance on security and coexistence.

Rabbi Kogan’s tragic death serves as a solemn reminder of the threats faced by religious minorities and the importance of vigilance in protecting all communities.

However, there is no official confirmation from Emirati authorities.

In a strongly worded statement, the Church urged the public, “Do not get carried away with rumors”, emphasizing that concerns over safety and governance in the region have been exaggerated.

The Church’s response comes amid rising speculation about the security of religious minorities in the coastal city, where reports had suggested a growing atmosphere of uncertainty. However, officials from the Church assured that their engagement with the GSS reaffirmed the stability of the community.

The statement was shared by Charles Lister of the Washington-based Middle East Institute’s Syria Program and founder of SyriaWeekly.com, further amplifying its reach among analysts and observers tracking developments in Syria.

While tensions in parts of Syria continue, Latakia has largely remained under firm government control, and the Church’s remarks seek to counter concerns that recent events might pose a direct threat to the Christian community in the city.

Local sources indicate that religious institutions remain operational and that no extraordinary security measures have been imposed, reinforcing the Church’s message of calm.

While misinformation continues to spread in conflict zones, the Church’s statement serves as a call for discernment, urging both residents and the international community to rely on verified sources rather than unconfirmed speculation.

The world must ask: why are minorities disappearing from Pakistan and Bangladesh, while thriving in India?

The fabric of South Asia has been woven with the threads of diverse cultures and religions for centuries. Yet, over the past seven decades, a disturbing pattern has emerged—one that tells the heartbreaking story of declining Hindu populations in Bangladesh and Pakistan, while India’s Muslim population has flourished. These numbers are not just cold statistics, they reflect the lived experiences of millions, of communities uprooted, of dreams shattered, and of survival against all odds.

Bangladesh: A Rapidly Shrinking Hindu Population

Imagine a land where your ancestors lived for generations, where temples echoed with prayers, where festivals were celebrated with grandeur—only to see it all vanish within a lifetime. This is the tragic reality for Hindus in Bangladesh.

In the early 20th century, Hindus comprised a significant portion of Eastern Bengal’s population—about 33% in 1901. But their numbers started declining drastically after India’s partition in 1947. The mass violence and forced migrations following the creation of East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) saw the Hindu population dwindle to 22% by 1951. When Bangladesh gained independence in 1971, Hindus made up just 13.5% of the population. The latest census of 2022 reports that Hindus now constitute a mere 7.95%—a staggering decline.

What led to this drastic decrease? It wasn’t just natural migration or lower birth rates. The 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War saw the systematic targeting of Hindus, with an estimated 2.4 million killed, according to independent reports. The community never truly recovered from this trauma. Even today, violence, land grabs, and discrimination continue to push Hindus out of their homeland.

The situation worsened in August 2024, when Bangladesh plunged into political chaos following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. Hindu homes, businesses, and temples became easy targets for rioters. The violence led to at least three deaths, while thousands of Hindus were forced to flee their homes.

Despite sporadic efforts by the government to curb anti-Hindu violence, the exodus continues. Many Bangladeshi Hindus look towards India as their last refuge, while those who stay behind live in fear, their voices drowned in the silence of indifference.

Pakistan: The Vanishing Hindus of Jinnah’s Dream

When Pakistan was formed in 1947, Muhammad Ali Jinnah had envisioned a state where all religious communities could coexist. However, history took a different turn. Hindus made up nearly 14.6% of Pakistan’s population at the time of partition. The violent upheaval that followed saw a mass exodus of Hindus to India, and by 1951, their numbers had plummeted to roughly 2.5% today.

Forced conversions, kidnappings, and systemic discrimination have forced many Hindus to flee or hide their identity. A report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan estimated that around 1,000 Hindu girls are abducted and forcibly converted to Islam every year. These cases rarely see justice, as families are often too fearful to fight against powerful perpetrators.

The condition of Pakistan’s Hindus can be best understood through the story of Sohana Kumari, a 14-year-old girl from Sindh, who was abducted in broad daylight in 2023. Despite her family’s desperate attempts, the courts ruled in favor of her “conversion,” claiming she had converted willingly. “She was my little girl, she loved to play with dolls. How could she have chosen this life?” wept her mother, standing outside a Karachi courthouse.

A year earlier, in 2022, Pooja Kumari, an 18-year-old Hindu girl, was brutally murdered in Sukkur, Sindh, after resisting an abduction attempt. Her killers, emboldened by a culture of impunity, attempted to force her into marriage and conversion, but she fought back, only to be shot in broad daylight. Her tragic death sparked outrage within Pakistan’s Hindu community, yet little action was taken against the perpetrators.

Similarly, Priya Kumari, another young Hindu girl, was abducted and forcibly converted in 2022, with her family left helpless as the authorities failed to intervene. Despite repeated appeals, her case, like many others, was ignored, reflecting the deep-rooted discrimination and lack of legal protection for minority groups in Pakistan.

According to reports from the United Nations and human rights groups, hundreds of Hindu and Christian girls are abducted each year in Pakistan, many of them minors. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called on the government to take stricter measures against forced conversions, yet the problem persists due to the lack of political will and the influence of extremist elements.

Unlike India, where minorities have representation in politics and judiciary, Pakistani Hindus remain largely invisible in governance, their voices muffled under the weight of institutional neglect.

India: A Beacon of Pluralism

India’s Muslim population has experienced notable growth in stark contrast to many of its neighbors. At the time of independence in 1947, Muslims accounted for roughly 9.8% of the country’s total population. Fast forward to 2025, and they now represent about 17%, reflecting both a demographic shift and the nation’s broader societal dynamics.

This growth underscores the pluralistic foundation of India, where constitutional protections, such as the right to religious freedom, are enshrined. While communal tensions do surface from time to time, India has managed to offer an environment in which Muslims thrive across various sectors—business, politics, education, and entertainment.

Indeed, India has seen Muslim figures rise to the highest echelons of leadership: from serving as presidents to commanding Bollywood fame, from becoming influential business tycoons to holding pivotal roles in the judiciary, such as Supreme Court judges. These milestones are significant not only within India but also set India apart from its neighbors like Pakistan and Bangladesh, where religious minorities, particularly Hindus, have faced challenges.

India has now been recognized as the most inclusive nation for religious minorities. The report, based on a survey of 110 countries, ranks India first for its acceptance of religious minorities, ahead of South Korea, Japan, and the United States. In contrast, the UK and UAE rank much lower, at 54th and 61st. The report attributes India’s high ranking to its constitutional provisions for the advancement of linguistic and religious minorities, particularly in culture and education, and highlights the country’s commitment to fostering diversity without imposing restrictions on any religious sect.

Further, India stands as the only country in the region where a religious minority, particularly its Muslim community, has seen sustained demographic growth and flourishing despite periods of tension, and without systemic persecution or marginalization. This is a unique aspect that speaks to India’s complex yet enduring pluralism, a distinctive feature that differentiates it from its neighbors.

The Stark Reality: A Call for Reflection

The demographic trends in South Asia tell a disturbing story. India, a Hindu-majority nation, has nurtured its minorities, while Bangladesh and Pakistan have systematically erased theirs. The data speaks volumes:

• Bangladesh: Hindus constituted 31% in 1971, now reduced to 8% in 2025.
• Pakistan: Hindus made up 15% in 1947, now barely 2.5%.
• India: Muslims were 9% in 1947 and have grown to 17% in 2025.

These are not just numbers; they are the stories of millions who have either been forced to flee, convert, or live in fear.

The world must ask: why are minorities disappearing from Pakistan and Bangladesh, while thriving in India? Why do Hindus have no safe haven in countries where their roots go back millennia? Why does the global human rights community stay silent?

The answer lies in the uncomfortable truth—while India, with all its complexities, has upheld the principles of religious coexistence, its neighbors have failed to protect their minorities.

It is crucial for South Asia to introspect. A region that once thrived on its diversity is now witnessing the erasure of entire communities. If real peace and harmony are to be achieved, it is time for Bangladesh and Pakistan to acknowledge their past mistakes and take genuine steps toward protecting their dwindling minorities. The world is watching. And history will judge.