Muslims attack Somali church leader in Ethiopia
by Staff
September 13, 2010
(christiansunite.com) - Mohamed Ali Garas, a prominent Somali church leader and convert from Islam, was beaten recently by Muslims in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Mohamed, who fled to Ethiopia from Somalia in 2005 after Somali authorities attempted to arrest him, recently moved to a new neighbourhood in Addis Ababa because Somali Muslims had threatened to attack him. While he was walking to his new home on the evening of August 21, he heard two men calling his name. When he approached them, they struck him on the head with a wooden club and knocked him to the ground.
The two Somali Muslims then continued to assault him, hitting and kicking him in the chest and stomach. They fled when a neighbour arrived on scene. At last report, Mohamed was being treated at a local hospital for his injuries, which included a damaged kneecap.
Somali Christians living in Ethiopia have come under increased attacks from Somali Muslims in recent months, including a Christian man who was assaulted in July for reading a book critical of the Prophet Muhammad.
A Somali pastor in the Ethiopian capital has described this latest attack as "an apparent attempt to scar the Somali Christian community in Addis Ababa who consider Ethiopia a safe haven from religious persecution." (Source: International Christian Concern)
Ask God to give Mohamed healing. Pray that his attackers will be brought to justice. Pray that he and other Somali believers facing persecution in Ethiopia will continue to trust in the Lord to guide and embolden them as they serve Him.
To learn more about the ongoing opposition of believers in Ethiopia, go to the Ethiopia Country Report at www.persecution.net/ethiopia.htm.
