Church in the World

Muslims attack Christian targets

Africa

Muslim demonstrators attacked at least seven churches and the offices of an American charity on 27 and 28 June, during angry protests over the Malawi Government?s decision to extradite five suspected members of the al-Qaida terrorist organisation to the United States. The disturbances took place in the predominantly Muslim town of Mangochi, in the south of Malawi.

Three people were injured in the violence and there was extensive damage to property. The Malawi director of Save the Children, Justin Opuku, said the charity?s offices were looted because of its American connections. Church windows and doors were also smashed.

?Our Muslim brothers were marching against the extradition of suspected al-Qaida suspects. We had nothing against their march. But what amazed us is that they attacked our churches?, Fr Matthew Likambale of Mangochi parish told Reuters. ?They also stopped a Catholic priest who was driving in their direction, pulled him out of the car, overturned it and then torched it. The priest escaped unhurt after being whisked away by sympathisers?. The local Catholic bishop, Allesandro Assolari of Mangochi, had to be given police protection.

Army units were deployed across the country on 30 June as protests continued. The following day police fired on angry demonstrators in the central district of Kasungu.

Religious tension has risen in recent years as Malawi?s growing number of Muslims have become more vocal, but violence is still extremely rare. The Malawi President, Bakili Muluzi, said he would not allow violence to threaten peace in the southern African country. ?You know that I am a Muslim, I do not hide that, but I am a peaceful Muslim?, he said. ?I will not allow anyone to start violence in the name of religion.?

The five al-Qaida suspects, all foreign Muslims, were arrested in Blantyre for being a threat to national security. They were then removed from the country despite a court order barring their deportation. Malawi?s population of 10.6 million people is 80 per cent Christian. The country has never previously been linked with international terrorism.