Attacks on Christians in Western Ethiopia

22 November 2006

There were two new attacks against Ethiopian Christians over the past few weeks, according to a report from VOMC sources.

On November 5, Semu Hailu -- an elder of a Mennonite Church in Jimma, Ethiopia -- was imprisoned after a group of Muslims accused him of insulting the prophet Mohammed. The accusation came after Hailu refused to move out of his house and sell his property to a nearby mosque. The Muslims responded by telling him that "kafirs" should not live around mosques and threatened him repeatedly, demanding that he leave his property. When he refused, they eventually accused him of insulting Mohammed, resulting in his arrest. During Hailu's November 9 court hearing, Muslims brought in false witnesses to testify against him. The court ordered him to be imprisoned for an unspecified period of time.

On November 17, the house of Jemal Tasisa was burned by Muslims in the village of Tongo. Tasisa, an elder in a local Lutheran church, has fled to Assosa, Benishangul state with his five children. VOMC is providing him and his family with aid through our Relief and Development Fund.

Ask God to comfort Semu in prison. Pray that, like Paul, his imprisonment will result in the advancement of God's kingdom (Philippians 1:12-14). Ask the Lord to keep Jemal and his family safe from harm. Pray that increased persecution in Ethiopia will result in increased boldness among the believers (Acts 4:29-31).

For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Ethiopia, click here.

Ethiopia

Current Ministry Project
VOMC has partnered with a ministry to strengthen the witness of the local church by equipping evangelists with the means to build sustainability through the development of a small business in a tentmaker project.

Project Fund: Relief and Development
Country Information
Population
116,462,712 (2023 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Oromo (35.8), Amara (24.1), Somali (7.2), Tigray (5.7), Sidama (4.1), Guragie (2.6), Welaita (2.3), Afar (2.2), Silte (1.3), Kefficho (1,2), Other (13.5) (2022 est.)

Religion (%)
Ethiopian Orthodox (43.8), Muslim (31.3), Protestant (22.8), Catholic (0.7), traditional (0.6), other (0.8)

Leader
President Taye Atske Selassie (2024)

Government type
Federal parliamentary republic

Legal system
Civil law system

Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Ethiopia
Ask the Lord to direct Ethiopia's governmental leaders as they continue to work toward solutions to the ongoing religious tensions in the country. While this is taking place, pray that His people will not become weary in doing what is right. Rather, may they be further strengthened and encouraged to boldly proclaim the Gospel, overcoming hatred with the powerful love of Christ.

Ethiopia News

Attacked Church Seeks New Meeting Location

The remains of the church building.
Photo: VOMC Ministry Partner

On July 29th, a small congregation in Ethiopia was attacked by hostile community members who were opposed to the church's presence in their village. During the incident, the attackers dismantled the simple shelter where the Christians had been meeting, and then they proceeded to steal its structural materials. (For more details about this incident, see this report.)

Read more...
Church Attack Forces Pastor and Wife into Hiding

The remains of the church building.
Photo: VOMC Ministry Partner

The Voice of the Martyrs Canada has partnered with Steadfast Global to provide small loans to pastors and other Christian workers so they can establish sustainable businesses in support of their ministries. Among the recipients of this project is Pastor Paul, along with his wife Mary. (Their given names were changed for the purpose of this report due to security concerns.) This couple has been faithfully ministering within a Muslim-majority community in southern Ethiopia. As part of their ministry outreach, Pastor Paul and Mary leased space in a compound where they set up a shelter composed of poles and zinc sheets so they could hold worship services with local converts.

Read more...
Evangelist Martyred for Sharing the Gospel

Ibrahim Mohammed
Photo: Steadfast Global

Ibrahim Mohammed became a follower of Jesus in 2021 and immediately began sharing the "Good News" of the Gospel with others in his predominantly Muslim community. Within the span of one year, he led 80 people to Christ in the Oromia region of Ethiopia. Since then, the passionate evangelist has devoted himself to discipling these new believers. As a result of his Christian witness, Ibrahim began receiving death threats from local Islamic militants.

Read more...
Christians Targeted in Violent Outbreaks

Fire damage in Shashamene.
Photo: Steadfast Global

The Oromia region of Ethiopia is in the midst of turmoil as separatists spread dissent against the government. The murder of prominent singer Hachalu Hundessa on June 29th set off the civil unrest, leaving hundreds dead.

During the third week of August, a violent outbreak took place in a predominantly Muslim village of Senbete Sinkile. In the attack, which was perpetrated by a youth wing of separatists known as the Qeerroo, it appears that Christians in particular were targeted. While there were no fatalities resulting from this attack, a number of people were injured and damages were done to a church and the homes of various Christians in the village. A number of victims were forced to flee, despite flood conditions, seeking refuge in the mainly Christian city of Awassa.

Read more...