Although it is not the official state religion, Islam plays an important role in Bangladesh. Islamic rituals are a regular part of everyday life, and two festivals in particular are of national importance. The first celebrates the birthday of Mohammed, and the second, called Eid, is the largest gathering of Moslems after the hadj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. The American invasion of Iraq and the commotion surrounding the Danish cartoons of Mohammed also led to many demonstrations in Bangladesh.

Abir Abdullah (b. 1971, Bangladesh) works for the European Press Agency (EPA). Since 2005 he has been documenting the role of Islam in public and private life in his native country. While photographing the demonstrations against the Danish cartoons of Mohammed, he was beaten up by radical Muslims.