Posted on 09/10/2004 11:58:36 PM PDT by miltonim
The population is equally divided between Christian (Coptic Christians, Ethiopian Orthodox, Roman catholic and Lutheran protestants) and Muslim religions. The population of the high plateau (Asmara) is predominantly Christian, whereas that of the lowlands and the coast are predominantly Muslim. Despite contrasts between the Muslim and Christian religions and the potential for conflict, both religious groups have managed to live together in harmony and in peace. There is also a small community of Kunamas (Gash-Setit), who practice their own traditional religion, centered around worship of Anna, the creator, and veneration of ancestral heroes.
The conversion of Axum to Christianity dates from the forth century A.D. when Syrian missionaries introduced a Monophysite doctrine to the Axumites. From a region which was approximately coextensive with modern Eritrea, the Christian kings of Axum extended their power and influence far afield.
In the sixteenth century the Turks under Selim I, sent their fleets into the Red Sea in 1517 and established initially feeble occupations at Massawa and Suakin (in the Sudan). In 1520, the Portuguese also landed at Massawa. Their followed years of warfare between the defenders of their respective faiths.
Another great power came in the person of the Imam of Harrar, Ahmad bin Ibrahim, better known as Ahmad Gran (the left-handed). In 1530 he began to attack the plateau. Within four years he laid waste to all of the Christian highlands, including Tigre and Eritrea. He converted hundreds of thousands to Islam by force. Only by surrender and conversion could people save their lives. The Christian nobility survived only as a hunted band.
Only the intervention of the Portuguese transformed the flow of events. They landed at Massawa in 1541 and helped the Eritreans and Tigre to drive the Imams forces from the plateau. The Muslim forces dispersed, retreated and disappeared.
In the nineteenth century the Italians began to bring Eritrea under their protection and introduced roman Catholicism.
Terrorists Continue to Assassinate and Provoke Christians in Poso
European Jews fear 'new' anti-Semitism - ...European prejudices, militant Islam
Is Poso On The Verge Of Erupting? Please Pray
Christian Captured and Threatened with Death after Trying to Leave Country
KOSOVO: Renewed attacks on Serbian Orthodox
Bombs found in Christian Schools. Pupils Warned to become Muslims or Die.
11 Christians Killed over Two Days of Slaughter in Early October
Four Christians Killed as Muslims Protest Against Arrests
Al-Qaida Targets Lebanese Christians
Police Arrest 22 Christians in New Crackdown
CONVERT ATTACKED FOR REFUSING TO RENOUNCE CHRISTIANITY
ATTACKERS CRITICALLY INJURE CHRISTIAN
Mohammed, The Mad Poet Quoted....
DANIEL PIPES: What little Basmallah 'knows'-Jew-hatred are emblematic of Muslim thinking
Worshippers slain by Islamic Terrorists during Church Service
HAS THE VATICAN CHANGED ITS MIND ABOUT ISLAM?
PAPUA: A CHRISTIAN PEOPLE SERIOUSLY AT RISK URGENT-- requesting prayer
Symposium: The Muslim Persecution of Christians [in the Middle East]. Should America be concerned?
Why Arabs come to America: Joseph Farah on data showing nearly 80 percent are not Muslim
Fallout from Iraq War - Christians Targeted in Bangladesh
Jihad Against Lebanese Christians
Schoolgirls face court over rabbi insult [France told him "die, dirty Jew"]
Muslims Throwing Stones War to Mobilize Democracy
U.S. gives Saudis a pass on religious persecution
Victor Davis Hanson: A Real War, Fighting the worst fascists since Hitler.
U.S. RE-ISSUES TERRORIST STAMP!! ConservativeTruth.org
Onward Christian soldiers (Janissaries. Christian boys were forced to fight for Islam)
Jordanian Christian Killed in Lebanon Attack
Indonesia Sends in Troops After Christian Killings( ROP Srikes Again. )
Muslim jailed for "honour killing" his daughter (she was dating a Christian)
Muslim Rebels Kill Filipino Christians Ahead Of Peace Talks
The Hamas Incites to Kill Jews, solely for their being Jews
Filing details 'Portland 7' plot (They wanted to kill Jews)
Web Site Advocating the Killing of Jews Has 24 Hours to Clean Up its Act
First, the Saturday People (Kill the Jews First, Then the Christians)
Michelle Malkin: Lee Malvo, Muslim Hatemonger
Malvo Defense Enters Threatening Jailhouse Sketches (Bin Laden is labeled, "Servant of Allah." )
Muhammad ordered Muslims to kill Jews?
Moderate Islam But not for Converts to the Christian Faith
Christians Tied Up And Killed In Karachi Office (Executed)
Seven Killed in Pakistan Shooting (religion of peace kills Christians)
14 Christians Killed in Indonesia Associated Press
Youth Shot At, 2 Wounded-150 Meters From Police Station
The paper on sale in London that wants all Jews killed
Christian Persecution On The Rise In Iraq
Moslems restricted Christian to pray twice a year at Jerusalem holy site
THE DHIMMI - JEWS AND CHRISTIANS UNDER ISLAM
Massacre & Destruction of Damour
Police Arrest Bomber Suspect (muslim persecution, Pakistan)(follow up to 1/15 story)
14 Year Old Girl Kidnapped-Feared Raped- I will make you Muslim and you will bear a Muslim child.
Formerly Kidnapped Christian Teenager Goes Into Hiding for Safety (Pakistan, muslims)
Jubilee Campaign Trip 2004, Part III (Pakistan, persecution, muslims)
Muslims are now "encouraged to kill Christians" in Egypt (Feb. 2001)
Coptic Christians are deliberately and arbitrarily executed by al-Gamaa al Islamiya (Sep. 1998)
Egyptian Coptic Christians allege police torture (Sep. 1998)
Experts: Attacks on religious freedom intensifying worldwide
Russian Soldier Goes Through Chechen Captivity Hell
Over 40 Serb churches destroyed in Kosovo - bishop
6 Killed in Attack on Christian School in Pakistan (August, 2002)
Twelve Christians Killed in Pre-Dawn Brutal Attack in Ambon, Indonesia (April, 2002)
MORE CHRISTIANS HAVE BEEN KILLED FOR THEIR FAITH IN THE 20th CENTURY THAN HAVE BEEN MARTYRED ...
FOUR CHRISTIANS KILLED IN INDONESIA IN MUSLIM PROTESTS
Shooting reported at Christian charity in Karachi, six killed
Six killed in massacre at Christian school in Pakistan
Christian Missionary Killed In Philippines
INDONESIA: Malukus Separatism "Moslems raided two Christian villages and killed 13 civilians
Christian driver killed for running over Koran
Christians Killed, Churches Burned
Philippine Muslim rebels release German woman, others killed 21 Christians
Christian Killed in Guerrilla Shooting in Lebanon
Christians Being Killed in Pakistan
FOUR CHRISTIAN WOMEN KILLED IN IRAQ, OTHERS INJURED (muslims)
Another Christian Arrested Under Blasphemy Laws (muslims, Pakistan)
Sharia Continues (Nigeria, muslims)
CHRISTIAN MAKES SLOW IMPROVEMENT FOLLOWING BRUTAL BEATING (Turkey, muslims)
CHURCHES DESTROYED, FAMILIES DISPLACED BY RELIGIOUS CONFLICT (muslims, Nigeria)
MUSLIM EXTREMISTS MOUNT ATTACKS IN NORTHERN NIGERIA
Pressure mounts on Sudan over (christian) girl's flogging (muslim shariah)
Pastor at Prayer Shot Dead (missionary activity among muslims)
Mainstream Political Leaders Denounce Attacks on Christian Minority (Iraq, muslims)
Attacked Evangelist Slowly Improving--(Turkey, semi-vegetative after attack by muslims)
DEATHS MARK RENEWED VIOLENCE IN POSO (muslims, persecution, Indonesia Dec. 15)
Indo Muslim Groups Using Laws to Close Churches (carried petrol, ready to burn down the church )
PAKISTAN : PROTESTANT PASTOR ASSASSINATED IN PAKISTAN
Bomb Hurts 15 at Christian Site in Karachi
Christmas for Iraqi Christians: Three bombs and a Fatal Shooting (persecution)
Premeditated Islamic Attacks on Christians (Muslims burn down 10 churches,100+ church properties)
TURKMENISTAN: Heavy fines on Balkanabad Baptists (75 US dollars each, more than one month's wages)
KOSOVO: No peace for Orthodox Christmas
KYRGYZSTAN: Religious freedom survey, January 2004
Follow Up On Murdered Pastor (from 1/05)(threats from Muslim extremist to close his Church)
Fugitives from Nigeria revolt in shootout 7 killed (failed rebellion)
Eritrea steps up its persecution of Christians
Arab-Jewish Refugees. Source: "From Time Immemorial" by Joan Peters
Battles Rage in West Sudan (genocide)
Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan as Thousands Flee Attacks (villages burned and looted)
SUDAN: Feature - Death and destruction in Darfur (December 11) (Janjaweed)
Nigerian state bans Muslim group for extremism (disrupting the peace)
EGYPT: Christian Centre Attacked by Army This Morning (nun beaten by soldiers)
Pakistan: Gunmen Open Fire At Church Service - None Injured
AT LEAST 12 KILLED IN BOM EXPLOSIONS IN IRAQ
Iraq (Christian) women gunned down
IRAQ: THE PERSECUTION OF MANDAEANS
IRAQ: ASSYRIANS (CHRISTIANS) AND A FEDERATION FOR IRAQ
ZION'S GLORY: A LETTER FROM ISRAEL
Muslim pleads guilty to killing Jewish man
On The Cutting Edge of Two Cultures
Crescent Moons and Circling Sharks (December 2003)
ITS ALL ABOUT THE CHILDREN (November 2003)
BAHAWALPUR MASSACRE: DELIBERATE REVENGE ATTACK ON CHRISTIANS? (Pakistan, October 2001)
Seven Christians shot dead in Pakistan
Christian shot dead in Iraq. (February 2003)
No Fizzle: Sharia thrives (and preys) in Nigeria.
Govt. Routs Radical Islamic Group Seeking Sharia (taking up arms for the first time)
Nigeria: 800,000 Internally Displaced Across Country - Refugee Agency
The New Year, Iraqi Christians, Alcohol, and other things also answers religion of peace deal.
Assyrians in Turkey: Disappearance of a Culture? (1922-1999)
Bible Society Attacked, Multiple Injuries Sustained
Car bomb hits Christian Bible society in Pakistan
Indonesia Backgrounder: Jihad in Central Sulawesi - Executive Summary
Recent bombing runs won't stop outreach in Sudan.
Believers batten down the hatches for anti-Christian violence in Pakistan.
Jewish Moroccan man shot dead in Casablanca
Jews expelled from Arab countries accuse Arab regimes of ethnic cleansing
Persecutions of Muslim converts to Christianity continue
Sentencing of Richard Reid (The Shoe Bomber) (USA January 2003)
When the Tigris Burned and the Euphrates Ran Red
Jews in Sweden are afraid to be known as Jews (Left joins with Moslems in hate campaign)
After Milosevic, Crime, terror flourish in 'liberated' Kosovo
Christians second-class in Muslim lands - cardinal
Govt. Raids Militant Islamic Stronghold to Pre-empt Attack on Christians
10 Churches Destroyed In Last Month
Indonesian Christians Flee Muslims
Christians terrorized in Muslim Indonesia: Islamic militants praising bin Laden
Terrorism Against Christians Intensifying in Indonesia
WHY IS THE CHRISTIAN WORLD SILENT?
People are discovering Islam the hard way
International Religious Freedom: Afghanistan - 2000 Annual Report
Indonesia group tied to al Qaeda kills Christians
ISLAMIC NATIONS SLAUGHTER, ENSLAVE CHRISTIANS
Christians terrorized by Laskar Jihad
Gunmen kill 9 Christians in Indonesia
Egyptians Destroy Church Hours After First Prayer Service
Anti-Semitism infuses scarf debate. French schools fight deeply rooted racism
Turkish Government Closing Churches (Prayer Needed)
Saudi Arabia releases Christian leaders
Muslim campaign in Nazareth part of overall strategy eliminate Christians
Blast kills reveler in Jakarta, churches bombed on Sulawesi island
Christians Remain In Saudi Prisons For Practicing Faith.
Chritmas Eve killing in Kosovo
A Body and Spirit Broken by the Taliban
Muslim Separatists Terrorize Filipinos With Kidnappings for Money and 'Marriages'
Christian missionary work among Muslims of the South
CHRISTIANS ATTACKED IN INDONESIA
Christians claim torture by Saudis: 'Each of us were flogged 80 times with a flexible metal cable'
Christian woman to be stoned to death
Death by Stoning Highlights Risks To Christians Under Islam
For Outsiders, Worship Is Risk in Saudi Arabia
Coptic Church Attacked In Southern Egypt
Indonesian Christians Butchered In Islamic "Crusades"
Sudan Jihad forcing Islam On Christians, Using Rape and Killing
Arsonists torch Jewish school near Paris (on the same day as bombing in Turkey)
CNN Turk: Explosion rocks Neveh Shalom synagogue in Istanbul, Turkey 23 reported dead
Jubilee Campaign Trip 2004, Part II (Pakistan January 2004)
Filipinos and G.I.'s Falter in Effort to Free Hostages
Administration's Efforts Encouraging - Burnham update
'Are you Christian or Muslim?' Letter to U.S. leaders exposes more of Sudan's forced Islamization
Sudan jihad forces Islam on Christians
"The CPMT Report on the Liang Area Atrocities: A Disgraceful Failure" (Sudan muslims June 2003)
The Moslem Conquest (of India)
American dream for Afghan family
Faith Under Fire: Christian in Mecca Feared Dead
AMERICAN PASTOR DIES IN IRAQI AMBUSH (muslim neighborhood)
Muslims Kill 48 in Nigeria's Latest Incidence of Religious Violence
Reports: Bomb blast in Turkey kills 2
Endless Jihad - The Truth about Islam and Violence
Texas missionary killed in Iraq
17 Kosovo churches, monasteries and convents looted or set ablaze
Christian Pastor Martyred After Watching "Jesus" Film
Church Attacked on Easter Sunday Wounding Seven Police Reinforcements Arrive on Scene (4/12/2004)
Letter: Congressman Wolf Introduces Bill Condemning Sudan
Church Grounds Desecrated Turned into Public Toilet
Christians Fear Muslim Backlash (April 10, 2004)
Christians Threatened With Being Shot if they do not Convert to Islam
Islamic Extremist Group Vows to Kill All Somalian Christians (Mogadishu's Kulanka Culimada)
Pakistani Christian Murdered in His Home
12 Muslim Extremists Could Face Death Penalty for Torching Christian Village
Peace Talks Fall Apart as Violence Continues (Islamic militants burnt down nine churches)
Four Christians Released from Prison All Charges Dropped (jail for possession of bibles)
Report: Muslim violence against Jews on rise in Germany
Break-in: Church Looted and Icons Stolen (Kosovo)
Indonesia: Christians in Ambon Under Attack - Death Toll Exceeds 20 and Continues to Climb
Ambon Christians Under Attack: 120 Wounded, 14 Dead (4/25/2004)
Turkey Again Accuses Pastor of "Opening An Illegal Church
Muhammad-inspired persecution of Christians, Jews and all non-Muslims continues...
Mohammed, The Mad Poet Quoted....
Cyprus takes legal action to recover stolen church treasures [looted by Turks-sold to Germans]
Michigan Armenians mark genocide by Turks
Kosovo Albanians rampaged through Prizren destroying all Christian monuments (3/24/2004)
Destruction of Devic Monastery 17-18 March 2004 (Kosovo)
Destruction of Serb churches and homes in Prizren Part 1, March 17-18, 2004 (Kosovo)
Albanian throng in Djakovica attacks German KFOR vehicles with Serbian Orthodox monks
Ethnic cleansing of Serbs in Pristina, March 17-18, 2004 (Kosovo)
Destruction of Serbian Orthodox church in Podujevo (17-19 March 2004)
Muslim mobs burn Christian homes: Attack began at 3 a.m., continued until all were destroyed
Burning of St. Sava's church, March 17 2004 (Kosovo)
Bishop Artemije visiting ruins of Prizren, March 25 2004 (Kosovo picture story)
Burning of St. Sava church in south Mitrovica (Kosovo 17 March 2004 )(picture story)
Destruction of Serbian Orthodox church in Podujevo (Kosovo 17-19 March 2004) Gallery 2
Destruction of the Serb Orthodox church of St. Eliah in Vucitrn,desecration of cemetery - Kosovo
Return of monks to Holy Archangels (kosovo)
Photo Story: Devastated Christian Orthodox Sites in Prizren (Kosovo March 2004)
Destruction of Serbian Orthodox churches in Djakovica during the March pogrom (17-19 March 2004)
56 boy slaves freed in Sudan: Victims claim abuse, rape, death treats, forcible conversion
No One Charged For Destruction of Churches and Monasteries - Kosovo
Christian Persecution and Humanitarian Crisis Escalates in Sudan
Indonesia: Violence in Ambon Continues
Pregnant mother, four daughters laid to rest
Muslims Torching Prizren (Kosovo March 17, 2004 - pictures)
(Muslims) Burning of the Serbian village Svinjare, Kosovo March 17, 2004 - pictures
Convert or Else (Iraq Assyrian Christians)
The Sword Sermon - A Jew is hiding behind me, come and cut off his head (video)
Pakistani Christian Dies From Police Attack
Young Father Gunned Down By Terrorists (May 6, 2003)
Christian beaten to death in hospital by Muslim cop (Religion of Peace)
Videotaped execution of U.S. Jew may not shake commitment in Iraq (Yes, he was Jewish)
Cool gunmen hunted down Christians
Pure evil in Sudan: Joseph Farah says Islamist terrorism, genocide illustrates what's at stake
Saudi Police Torture Indian Catholic for His Faith
Iranian Police Arrest Christian Pastor
A Serb teenager murdered by Albanian extremists in Kosovo
Chechen Separatist Leader Threatens Russia with New Terrorist Attacks
Egyptian Police Protect Coptic Girl's Kidnappers
No security or safety for young Christian girls in Egypt!
The Egyptian army attacks St. Patmos convent again..
60 injured in explosions targeting Iraqi churches
Sudan: Global Mission Center Leveled in Janjweed Militias Attack
Jailed Christian in Saudi to be Free soon?
Christians in Kaduna forced to renounce their faith or die
Will Of Faith - Christian Academy Fights Back Against Muslim Extremism
Protection for Iraqi Christians demanded
Darfur - exposing Arab goals for what they are: Genocide, racism and Arab political hegemony
Al-Qaida-related group attacks pastor
Secret Documents Reveal Ethnic Cleansing of Christians
Woman Minister Killed in Indonesia Church Attack (Presbyterian minister martyred)
Thai Buddhist shrine ransacked(Muslim rampage, beheading)
Radical Muslim group behind arson of Jewish community center: NO WAY!
[Sudan]Police seize Church offices in Sudan
20 killed in Nigeria Muslim-Christian clash
Ambon violence sends Christians fleeing for lives
Anti-Christian Jihad Continues
Iraq's Christians Fleeing as Attacks Against Them Increase
A new era of Christian persecution: Pat Buchanan exposes why Islam is not a religion of peace
16 Murdered in Double Terror Attack in Be´er Sheva
Bomb Damages Church in Northern Cyprus
U.S. Hostage Beheaded, Terror Group Says
MUSLIMS KILL CHRISTIANS AT PRAYER: INDONESIA
Saudi Arabian Killed Jew in Houston
Report: Muslims slaughter 600 Christians
Qadhafi: Jews must be compensated for loss of property
GOTTA SEE THIS - Terrorists attack Russian School - Warning: Graphic images
Catholic Aid Worker Shut in Darfur - Sudan
It Was Christians Targeted In Beslan Russia
Hundreds of Christians Slaughtered in Akobo - Sudan (7/24/2004)
Iraq's disappearing Christians-Middle East is undergoing ethnic cleansing. Does anybody care?
Amid Escalating Fear of Massacres, Assyrian Christians Commemorate Martyr's Day 8-7-2004
Many Christians Flee Iraq, With Syrian the Haven of Choice
Attacks Upon Assyrians in Central Iraq (1997)
Iraq Militants Kill 12 Nepali Hostages (August 2004)
FAITH UNDER FIRE: Iraqi Christians face persecution...
EXPULSION OF JEWS AND CHRISTIANS FROM ARABIA
Sharon urges exodus of Jews from France
Anti-Semitism in France: Not only for Jews
Muslim raid kills 48 (Christians) in Nigeria [hacked to death inside their Church]
Christians Begin Exodus From Iraq
Cool gunmen hunted down Christians
Enemy Islam. An Interview with the Bishop of Rumbek, Sudan
FAITH UNDER FIRE Sudan slave 'crucified' by master
Iran Arrests 80 Evangelicals, Amid Fears of New Crackdown on Christians
Great work.
Their well-being seems not to be a priority.
By the way, are there any Jews left in Iraq? My understanding is that there are 8,000 Jews left in Arab lands.
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