The Bangladesh government has approved a grant of 30 million taka (US237,073) for Christmas 2026, exceeding by 50 percent the 20 million taka (US158,049) requested by the Christian Religious Welfare Trust.
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman approved the allocation on November 2 following a proposal from the Ministry of Religious Affairs
The funds will be released through the ministry from the Prime Minister's Relief and Welfare Fund to support Christmas celebrations, the most important annual religious festival for Bangladesh's Christian community.
According to the proposal submitted to the prime minister, the Christian Religious Welfare Trust had sought a special grant of 20 million taka to support religious and social welfare activities planned across the country for Christmas. However, Rahman directed that the allocation be increased to 30 million taka.
Catholic Lintus Rozario, secretary and chief executive officer of the Christian Religious Welfare Trust, welcomed the decision and said the organization expects to receive the funds within a week before distributing them to churches and Christian institutions.
"Previously, we received 20 million taka from the government for Christmas through the Christian Religious Welfare Trust. We requested 20 million taka this year, but the prime minister approved 30 million taka. This is a very positive development, and we express our gratitude to him," Rozario told RVA News.
He said the decision reflects the government's commitment to treating all religious communities equally.
"It is commendable that the prime minister gives equal importance to all religions and has taken our needs into consideration. In his election manifesto last year, he pledged to strengthen all religious welfare trusts. It is likely that this increase in funding reflects that commitment," he said.
The Christian Religious Welfare Trust is a government institution responsible for implementing welfare programs for Bangladesh's Christian community. Catholic and Protestant churches apply for assistance through designated forms on the Trust's website, submitting the required supporting documents.
Applications are reviewed annually ahead of Christmas, and approved grants are distributed through cheques issued by the Trust.
Rozario said the growing number of churches seeking assistance has increased the need for funding.
During Christmas 2025, the Trust distributed 20 million taka in government grants to 854 churches. This year, it expects to support around 1,000 churches, he said.
The grants generally cover Christmas decorations, painting and renovation work, and community celebrations.
Since the program began in 2018, the Trust has distributed a total of 130 million taka (US 1.03 million), starting with an initial grant of 5 million taka (US 39,512), with allocations increasing steadily over the years.
Other Christian leaders also welcomed the increased funding.
Ashim Baroi, general secretary of the Bangladesh Bible Society and former general secretary of the Bangladesh Baptist Church Fellowship, described the increase as an encouraging sign of recognition for the Christian minority.
"I am very pleased to hear about the increase in government allocation for the Christian community. It demonstrates that the current prime minister values and acknowledges the Christian community in Bangladesh. It is heartening to know that more churches will now receive assistance for Christmas," Baroi told RVA News.
Advocate John Gomes, vice chairman of the Christian Religious Welfare Trust, said the allocation is the largest in the institution's history.
"This is the highest allocation in the history of the Christian Religious Welfare Trust. Thank you, Honourable Prime Minister. We, the Christian community, are very happy. We express our deep gratitude to you, Honourable Prime Minister," Gomes said.
The increased allocation is expected to enable the Trust to extend Christmas assistance to more churches across Bangladesh as Christian communities prepare for their annual celebration.
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