About 60% of Ethiopians are Christians, but they are concentrated mostly in the north. (REUTERS/Radu Sigheti)
Ethiopia (MNN) ― On July 19, 2008, a Muslim mob attacked and stoned two Christians who were attending a church meeting in the town of Jijiga, in eastern Ethiopia.
"They were confronted by nine Muslims who were yelling anti-Christian slogans and started hurling stones at the Christians," said Jonathan Racho, Regional Manager for Africa for International Christian Concern.
One of the two Christians, a leader in the church, was struck by eight stones and suffered a concussion as well as injuries on his torso. He was admitted to Karamara hospital and received treatment.
The other Christian escaped without injury. As he ran toward the police station, the mob dispersed, but the police never responded to the situation.
Although the majority of Ethiopians are Christians, Wahhabi Islam is growing rapidly in some regions of the country, like eastern Ethiopia. In fact, the radical brand of Islam is growing faster than Christianity in Ethiopia, according to statistics.
"Wahhabi Islam is spreading very fast in Ethiopia, and it's being sponsored by countries such as Saudi Arabia. They are teaching intolerance against Christians and other non-Muslims," Racho said. "So there is a very strong atmosphere of hostility against Christians in many parts of Ethiopia where there are many Muslims living."
Jijiga is the capital of the Somali Regional State, one of nine Ethiopian states. Most of the state's inhabitants are Muslim, including most of the residents of Jijiga.
"Unless the growth of radical Islam is curbed in Ethiopia, the attacks against Christians will continue to rise," Racho said. "Ethiopian government officials, particularly local officials in Muslim-dominated areas of the country, should be made accountable for failing to protect Christians against such attacks."
Racho said Christians can contact the Ethiopian embassy in Washington D.C. to pressure the Ethiopian government to protect Christians from persecution. Click here to find the embassy's contact information.
Racho also urges Christians to pray for the Ethiopian church.
"I call upon Christians in the United States and in other countries to pray for the continuous growth of church in Ethiopia," he said. "Please also pray that the Lord will protect Ethiopian Christians from the increasing persecution and hostility from Muslims."
