The constitution of Bangladesh has given freedom to its citizens to practice the religion of their choice, subject to legal and moral civil regulations. It also grants freedom for marriages between people following different religions, and thereby the laws are applicable to resolve family disputes such as divorce or adoptions, which differ according to the religion of the parties involved.

The different types of religion practiced in Bangladesh include but are not limited to: Islam,
Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity and Bahai’sm.

Islam

Islam has existed in Bangladesh from the twelfth century, when it was introduced by the Sufi saints. A famous saint of those days named Shah Jalal had played prominent role in spreading Islam in the region of modern Bangladesh. Today, more that 86% of the total population in Bangladesh follows some form of Islam. Islam is the considered the national religion that makes Bangladesh one of the prominent Islamic countries of the world.

The different forms of Islam that are found in Bangladesh include Sunni, Shia and Ahmadi.
Almost 95% of the population that follows Islam follows Sunni form of Islam, while nearly 3% follows Shia Islam and the rest follow Ahmedi Islam. Although the percentage of the Shia followers is much smaller, relations between the Sunnis and Shias are very cordial. However, there is severe discrimination of the Ahmadis by the other two Islamic groups.

Hinduism

The Hindu faith was found even before the introduction of Islam in the land where today’s Bangladesh exists. The number of its followers was significantly reduced in Bangladesh, hovever, mainly after the partition of India and during the serious conflicts in the second half of the twentieth century, when Hindus migrated from Bangladesh to West Bengal to avoid getting assassinated by Islamic extremists.

Though only around 10% of total Bangladeshi population follows Hinduism, it is one of the biggest states after India and Nepal to have a considerable Hindu practicing population in the world. Hinduism is mainly practiced in the regions of Khulna and Gopalganj in Bangladesh. The famous festivals of the Hindu religion, namely Durga Puja and Krishna Janmaashtami, are prime celebrations of the Hindus in Bangladesh.

Buddhism

Buddhism was introduced in the region of Bangladesh, which was earlier known as Bengal, by the Buddhist dynasties. Historians believe that it entered this region from around fourth century.

Today only about 1% of the total countries population follows Buddhism. These Buddhists live mainly in the districts of Chittagong and Comilla of Bangladesh.

Christianity

There are less than one million followers of Christianity in Bangladesh, spread in locations like Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna and Rajshahi.