March 10,2011
At least one Christian was killed and 59 churches were burnt when a huge Islamist mob rampaged through part of west Ethiopia in response to blasphemy allegations, reports Release International.
The violence, which is reported to be ongoing, began last Wednesday (2 March) after a Christian in the Jimma area was accused of tearing up a copy of the Koran, Islam's holy book. Thousands of Islamist extremists began attacking Christians and their property in Asendabo – and the violence spread to Chiltie, Gilgel Gibe, Gibe, Nada, Dimtu, Uragay, Busa and Koticha.
Local Christians fear that the violence, which began in rural areas of the Oromia region, could spread to Jimma town. More than 4,000 Christians have fled their homes, according to Compass Direct news agency.
Local church leaders say that the authorities are not doing enough to curb the violence or protect Christian communities: security forces sent in to try to quell the riots were repelled by the mob.
The Christian who was killed has not been named but is believed to have been a member of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Several others are reported to have been injured. The precise number of casualties is unclear as sources have not yet been able to enter the area because of security fears.
Compass Direct reports that, in addition to damage to 59 churches of all denominations, at least 28 homes, a Bible college and two church offices were attacked. The damage so far is reportedly estimated to stand at about 60 million birr (£2.2 million).
Although Ethiopia is a mainly Christian nation, Christians are said to suffer harassment and discrimination in predominantly Muslim areas, which include Jimma town.
Meanwhile, the Ethiopian authorities are said to be engaged in trying to repel Islamist extremist al-Shabaab militia from Somalia at its border with Kenya. Al-Shabaab has killed at least 24 Christians in Somalia since 2009 in an effort to extend its own strict version of Sharia across the country.
(Sources: BBC, Compass Direct, International Christian Concern, US Department of State – 2010 International Religious Freedom Report)
At least one Christian was killed and 59 churches were burnt when a huge Islamist mob rampaged through part of west Ethiopia in response to blasphemy allegations, reports Release International.
The violence, which is reported to be ongoing, began last Wednesday (2 March) after a Christian in the Jimma area was accused of tearing up a copy of the Koran, Islam's holy book. Thousands of Islamist extremists began attacking Christians and their property in Asendabo – and the violence spread to Chiltie, Gilgel Gibe, Gibe, Nada, Dimtu, Uragay, Busa and Koticha.
Local Christians fear that the violence, which began in rural areas of the Oromia region, could spread to Jimma town. More than 4,000 Christians have fled their homes, according to Compass Direct news agency.
Local church leaders say that the authorities are not doing enough to curb the violence or protect Christian communities: security forces sent in to try to quell the riots were repelled by the mob.
The Christian who was killed has not been named but is believed to have been a member of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Several others are reported to have been injured. The precise number of casualties is unclear as sources have not yet been able to enter the area because of security fears.
Compass Direct reports that, in addition to damage to 59 churches of all denominations, at least 28 homes, a Bible college and two church offices were attacked. The damage so far is reportedly estimated to stand at about 60 million birr (£2.2 million).
Although Ethiopia is a mainly Christian nation, Christians are said to suffer harassment and discrimination in predominantly Muslim areas, which include Jimma town.
Meanwhile, the Ethiopian authorities are said to be engaged in trying to repel Islamist extremist al-Shabaab militia from Somalia at its border with Kenya. Al-Shabaab has killed at least 24 Christians in Somalia since 2009 in an effort to extend its own strict version of Sharia across the country.
(Sources: BBC, Compass Direct, International Christian Concern, US Department of State – 2010 International Religious Freedom Report)
No comments:
Post a Comment