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Exposing the role that Islamic jihad theology and ideology play in the modern global conflicts

Interfaith outreach in Zanzibar: Islamic jihadists call Christian churches “dens of nonbelievers,” then bomb them

Mar 17, 2014 12:29 pm By Robert Spencer

anglican-church-zanzibarQur’an 5:17 and 5:72 labels those who believe in the divinity of Christ kafara — unbelievers, or infidels. And in the context of a holy book that tells Muslims to “fight those adjacent to you of the disbelievers and let them find in you harshness” (9:123), that all too often leads to violence. “Anglican bishop Michael Hafidh of Zanzibar told World Watch Monitor at the time he did not know who had planned and executed the attack” on St. Monica Anglican Cathedral, but it is abundantly clear what the attackers’ belief system was.

“Islamists Call Christian Churches ‘Dens of Nonbelievers’ Before Attacks,” from World Watch Monitor, March 17 (thanks to Blazing Cat Fur):

A series of bomb blasts in Tanzania’s island of Zanzibar is stoking fears that an Islamist breakaway movement is increasingly targeting Christians.

Since 2010, the cases have been on the increase and Christians and their leaders—many of them originally from mainland Tanzania—say they are anxious.

In the latest attack on Feb. 24, assailants exploded a homemade bomb near the gate of St. Monica Anglican Cathedral, slightly damaging the church wall and a car park. Anglican bishop Michael Hafidh of Zanzibar told World Watch Monitor at the time he did not know who had planned and executed the attack.

Also Feb. 24, a similar explosive went off at the Mercury restaurant, a popular hangout for western tourists. A day earlier, four people were injured when a bomb was thrown into the Assemblies of God Church in the Founi area of the island. On Feb. 15, in the Tomondo area of the Island, a home-made bomb was thrown at the door of the Adventist Church during a worship service.

Hafidh said although this is not the first time the churches had been targeted, the recent series of explosions has left Christians feeling more scared.

“We don’t know the motive, but the police have said they are investigating. We think these are people opposed to the presence of Christians here,” he said in February.

Christians and Muslims have peacefully shared Zanzibar until 2010, when the Association of Islamic Mobilization and Propagation, a religious movement known as Jumuiya ya Uamsho na Miadhara ya Kiislam, or UAMSHO, began clamoring for Zanzibar’s autonomy.

UAMSHO registered in Zanzibar as a non-governmental organization in 2001. In its charter, it declared its aim of aim of establishing Zanzibar as a center of Islamic institutions under Islamic law and free from the United Republic of Tanganyika and Zanzibar, the official name of Tanzania.

In more recent years the campaign has taken on religious overtones. Clashes with police have ended with churches being burned and clerics being attacked. In February 2013, a Roman Catholic priest in the Zanzibar Diocese, Rev. Evaristus Mushi, was killed by unknown gunmen. His death followed a shooting two months earlier that left another priest, Rev. Ambrose Mkenda, badly injured.

Before Mushi’s killing, UAMSHO had circulated leaflets mentioning their youth training in Somalia, and threatening attacks.

“Our youth who went for training in Somalia have assured us that before we celebrate the birth of Prophet Mohammed, there will be other ‘celebrations’ about these infidels, that will be a big funeral for them,” said one undated leaflet, in Swahili, that circulated before the attack on Mushi.

The leaflets praised attacks on churches, referring to them as “dens of nonbelievers.” They also claimed the group had support from within the Zanzibari government of President Mohamed Shein. Christians on the island also received text messages warning them to leave the country or face death.

“The problem is the group is mixing calls for autonomy with religion,” said the Rev. Cosmas Shayo, a Catholic priest on Zanzibar. “They issues threat to Christians. They have attacked churches and clergy. We become more afraid when they circulate threatening leaflets.”

Added another Zanzibar priest, the Rev. Thomas Assenga: “We fear anything can happen anytime. Things are not easy here.”

In September 2013, Rev. Amselmo Mwang’amba, an elderly Catholic priest, was seriously injured when assailants splashed him with an acid. Mwang’amba, who headed the Roman Catholic Congregation of Cheju in the central district of the Island, was attacked as he walked out of a cyber café he frequented….

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Filed Under: Muslim persecution of Christians, Zanzibar Tagged With: featured


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Comments

  1. Jay Boo says

    Mar 17, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    If Muslims allow no compulsion in religion then people might decide to choose other than Islam.

    Do you live in a no-sharia state, no foreign law state?
    This is true Islam at work.

  2. tpellow says

    Mar 17, 2014 at 12:50 pm

    There seems to be a pattern of behaviour among Islamic jihadists of Zanzibar:

    -acid attacks on non-Muslim tourists, and attacks on churches and Christians-

    http://www.jihadwatch.org/search_gcse?q=zanzibar

  3. Angemon says

    Mar 17, 2014 at 2:26 pm

    “

    We think these are people opposed to the presence of Christians here

    ”

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS401CI7TZg

    “

    The problem is the group is mixing calls for autonomy with religion

    “

    • Angemon says

      Mar 17, 2014 at 2:28 pm

      Ugh, occidentally pressed the publish button before writing everything

      “The problem is the group is mixing calls for autonomy with religion”

      So… Islam trying to be islam and imposing sharia?

  4. Ray Lanfear says

    Mar 18, 2014 at 11:06 am

    Abraham Lincoln said, “To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men”. When our mainstream news will not inform you of one of the main issues of the 21st Century, due to political correctness, then it’s time not to be silent anymore.

    Muslim refugees from Somalia and other “warzones” to the tune of 500,000 being relocated to America is the issue. Forget about being labeled a racist, bigot or being politically correct, silence won’t turn back the tide.

    The time has come to speak up and take a stand folk, for America. Awareness is the issue as most families are simply far too busy, working two jobs, raising their children and do not have a clue or the time to research the issue.

    I have done that for you, if you Google “TheProjectMuslimBrotherhood” you will find that this is their doctrine to destroy America and West from within by stealth jihad, and lies. Guess what, the doctrine is over 20 years old, and they are making substantial progress. We are now approaching 2400 Mosques along with approximately 2.7 million Muslims here in America.

    Massive immigration and multiculturalism is literally destroying most of Europe today. There are over 700 “Islamic No Go Zones”, within France, England and Germany, where police cannot enter. Take a look around you Dearborn, Michigan, Maine, Tennessee, Minnesota, New York, California, Colorado for examples of the immigration resettlement program, and very soon coming to your State. Over 90% of them are illiterate and in need of public assistance. Have you been to Paris recently? The young and the rich are leaving France, immigration is bankrupting France and Europe.

    I have no problem with the “peaceful Muslims” that wants to integrate into our culture and follow our laws. The problem lies in that the militant Muslims dominate the peaceful ones and eventually wants to force Islam and Sharia law upon us all. Why should America be forced into adapting to their culture? They must adapt to our culture.

    Sad to say, they are making inroads into every facet of our lives and trying to change our culture, under the guise of the first amendment. Already, they are changing our schools, universities, cities, towns and even our own government has been infiltrated. They want Sharia law and will stop at nothing to see that it happens. School textbooks are being changed to put Islam in a more favorable light. Have you been to a school board meeting recently? Food menus are being changed to accommodate all of them.

    When Jews, Christians, Priests, Infidels are being slaughtered and murdered, and churches are being burned down did you ever wonder why the so called peaceful moderate Muslims, never speak out against these atrocities? Europe is losing the battle and America in less than a generation will be next. Where is the condemnation from the nearly 3 Million Muslims that are here, have you heard a word from them? Their silence speaks volumes on their real intent to destroy us from within and have no intention of ever living within our culture. They want Sharia law in America today folks.

    Islam is a political ideology; it is the antithesis of a free society. One generation of silence on the issue due to political correctness is all it takes. What you do today and tomorrow will affect your children and grandchildren and future generations of America, yet unborn. Stand up and be counted to defeat this real threat from within. Voice your opinion, let your congressmen, senators and school boards know how you feel on the issue.

    Forget about being labeled and simply do what is right for America. We need a permanent solution, time is running out. Let us not become the next Europe. As for me I refuse to be silent on the issue. One person can make a difference, but think if were united, what a difference we can make to turn back the tide and doctrine of the Muslim Brotherhood. Enough is enough folks, if you do just one thing today, Google “TheProjectMuslimBrotherhood” and see for yourself their intent to destroy America from within. Thank you, and please forward this to millions.

  5. Kalliope says

    Mar 18, 2014 at 7:29 pm

    Islamists Call Christian Churches ‘Dens of Nonbelievers’
    May they continue that way forever.
    Amen.

  6. gravenimage says

    Mar 20, 2014 at 6:09 pm

    The cathedral in the accompanying picture was built over Zanzibar’s infamous slave market, with the alter over the old whipping post, to show the triumph of goodness over evil.

    But this is exactly the barbarism that Muslims want to bring back> They are targeting Christian churches first.

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