Ethiopia: Muslim Police Join Students in Demolishing Church

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA (Worthy News)-- More than 500 Muslim students assisted by Muslim police burned down a church in the village of Qoto Baloso, Ethiopia, on Nov. 29.

The students screamed "Allahu Akbar" as they set fire to St. Arsema Orthodox Church, which was built on land used by the Christian community for more than 60 years.

According to Inspector Mustefa Bashir of Silte Province, police had already ruined the roof after a court ruled that the church was built without a permit, but as for the razing of the church by students, we are investigating to determine those responsible.

"The actions of the Muslim police as well as the Muslim students show the growing Islamization of Ethiopia," said Jonathan Racho, ICC Regional Manager for Africa. "We urge the Ethiopian government to stop gross violations of the rights of Christian minorities in areas of the country dominated by Muslims."