DhakaBangladesh
Sunni Muslim majority (~91%), Hindu minority (~8%), small Buddhist and Christian minorities; apostasy not federally criminalized but social cost is severe and there have been targeted killings of secular bloggers and ex-Muslims by extremist groups.
Localized version for English
Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and the city most associated with the targeted killings of secular bloggers and ex-Muslims by extremist groups in the mid-2010s. While the Bangladeshi state does not criminalize apostasy as such, the documented pattern of targeted violence against publicly known atheists has made being an openly ex-Muslim writer or activist a real mortal risk in this city.
Many Dhaka ex-Muslims function as PIMOs and only come out gradually, often after relocation. The pillar page on Islam, with its safety-first framing, applies. The Bangladeshi diaspora communities in the UK and US are larger and more visible than the in-country ex-Muslim community.
Elder X knows that for many people in Dhaka, the decision to leave organized religion is not a philosophical exercise — it is a risk calculation. Safety first. Independence first. The theology can wait. If you need to talk to someone who understands the stakes and will not repeat a word of what you say, reach out. Every message is private.