Posted on 02/10/2005 7:13:51 PM PST by underlying
VOM sources in Ethiopia have compiled a disturbing report from the town of Alaba (K'olito) and surrounding area in the Southern Region of Ethiopia. VOM has documented recent cases of severe physical abuse, confiscation and destruction of property, extortion, kidnapping, forcible marriage and the unlawful imprisonment of evangelical Christians in the area. VOM has also learned of the martyrdom of a Christian student named Serkalem on February 1, 2005, who was repeatedly stabbed by assailants as he returned home from school. His family has appealed to authorities but if past experience is any indication, a proper investigation is unlikely.
VOM also learned that, on the same day, in Alaba, Hajji Husman Mohamed and his family were severely beaten, including his pregnant wife. For more than an hour, the attackers physically abused everyone in the house. Hajji, a former Muslim Imam, has suffered several times since his conversion to Christ in March 2003. Last December, all of his property was taken from him, including his furniture, cattle, and a year's supply of grain.
VOM has also received reports that, in early January, thirty-two believers were chased out of the village of Besheno, located approximately 30 km northeast of Alaba. The Muslims who organized the attack are now checking every vehicle entering the community to ensure that no Christians return.
Given the remote nature of much of Ethiopia, the Ethiopian Constitution has allowed a certain degree of flexibility in administering justice. It provides, for example, legal standing to some pre-existing religious and customary courts and gives federal and regional legislatures the authority to recognize other courts. By law, all parties to a dispute must agree before a customary or religious court may hear a case. Shari'a (Islamic) courts may hear religious and family cases involving Muslims. In addition, other traditional systems of justice, like councils of elders, continue to function in the country. Although not sanctioned by law, these traditional courts typically resolve disputes for the majority of citizens who lived in rural areas and who generally have little access to formal judicial systems. Unfortunately, this also opens up the system to abuse, such as is being seen in the region near Alaba. The Alaba self-governing administration is the first regional office in Ethiopia to have requested the government to implement Shari'a (Islamic) law. Ninety-nine percent of the population in Alaba is Muslim, with less than one percent being Ethiopian Orthodox. The tiny fraction remaining is Evangelical. Islam is the identity of the Alaba tribe. As one church leader put it to VOM sources, in this town, "Islam means Alaba and Alaba means Islam."
Pray for those who continue to serve Christ in Ethiopia, despite the many difficulties that they face. Pray for safety for Hajji and others suffering injustice and pain for their faith.
For more information on persecution of Christians in Ethiopia, click here.
When I first read this, I thought that the Islamic community was being persecuted. I am very disappointed that I misunderstood this.
I thought the same when I read the headline.
I'm sure they'd be happy if only they could get the mild kind of Islamic persecution.
I believe the Muslims in Canada just got permission to instate Shari'a law within their communities there - the Islamic women were very alarmed, undertandalbe. It makes them chattel again-
Those wonderful peaceful and tolerant muslims again.
VOM sources in Ethiopia have compiled a disturbing report from the town of Alaba (K'olito) and surrounding area in the Southern Region of Ethiopia. VOM has documented recent cases of severe physical abuse, confiscation and destruction of property, extortion, kidnapping, forcible marriage and the unlawful imprisonment of evangelical Christians in the area.
Isn't it time for a second "Crusades?" How many more Christians across the world have to die before politicians wake up and smell the coffee? Millions upon millions have died in a Jihad against Christians.
We're supposed to believe we have "Christian" leaders when they not only ignore this Holocaust, but actually give aid to regimes committing these atrocities?
I didn't think that for one second because I know that "Islam means persecution and persecution means Islam."
Thak you for posting this...I will share with my Ethiopian students.
They have been telling me of their outrage and fears for weeks and now this is confirmation. Apparently one of the methods being used is that Muslim men - mainly Oromos - impregnate Ethiopian Amha women and then the children are raised Muslm. It is unbelievable to realize that the majority of Ethiopians today are Muslim!
Also, lots of Saudi money is being pumped into the region.
After class report: Amha students highly critical of the govt which is as they say fragmenting and tribalizing the people who have lived mainly peacefully over the hundreds of years. This situation is being exarcerbated by an inflow of Muslim money and influence from Saudi-funded entities mainly.
Lots of resentment that property taken by the Marxists has never been returned - no restitution. That and the growing power and oppression against Christian Amhas or any tribe - predominated the discussion.
This may be of interest: one of the new students is an Oromo from Ethipia, a muslims. His whole family has been given refugee status in the US - his father mother and 22 brothers and sisters. His other "mothers" (father's wives) are back in Ethiopia...!!! (Lots more if you are interested)
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