Faith in Bangladesh

Muslim: 88.3% Hindu: 10.5% Other: 1.2%

Bangladesh's government is secular, which means there is "separation of church and state" - thereby (at least in name) guaranteeing freedom of religion. No country (especially in South Asia) is free of religious strife but I believe that Bangladesh is not as extensively plagued by the sort of religious conflicts that threaten both India and Pakistan.

Hinduism in Bangladesh sometimes lacks the pomp and awe of the Indian version. Hindu ceremonies are usually conducted in the depths of temples to which access is restricted. Once the dominant religion in the area, Buddhists today form only a tiny minority of the population. There is no denying the significant role that Hindiusm and Buddhism have played in shaping the people and culture of Bengal over time, despite the attempts of religious conservatives to downplay such influence.