Persecution of Ex-Muslims (Ethiopia)

Former Muslim Imam, Hajji Husman Mohamed and his family, including his pregnant wife, severely beaten for more than an hour due to his conversion to Christianity. All of his property has been confiscated

In a report released today by Voice of the Martyrs, the persecution watchdog group documented recent cases of severe physical abuse, confiscation and destruction of property, extortion, kidnapping, forcible marriage and the unlawful imprisonment of evangelical Christians in the Southern Region of Ethiopia.
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In Alaba, Hajji Husman Mohamed and his family were severely beaten, including his pregnant wife. For more than an hour, the attackers physically abused everyone in the house, VOM wrote. Hajji, a former Muslim Imam, has reportedly suffered several times since his conversion to Christ in March 2003. Last December, all of his property was taken from him, including his furniture, cattle, and a year's supply of grain.

VOM Documents Severe Persecution in Rural Ethiopia
Kenneth Chan, The Christian Post, February 9, 2005

Mob led by 7 Muslim clerics brutally attack 50 or more Christians (including converts). Previous conversion of 2 also led to violent riots and beatings instigated by Muslim leaders

7 Muslim leaders (clerics) brutally attacked 50 or more Christians in Henno, Ethiopia. In a news release, ICC says, “This latest attack is just one example of the increasing violence against Christians in Ethiopia. In fact, Islamic leaders are urging Muslims in the area to kill full-time Christian evangelists. The situation has reached such intensity that Christian leaders are in fear and moving in pairs to ward off attacks. Local Muslim authorities failed to take action against the Muslim attackers.
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In 2005, two prominent Muslims in Henno converted to Christianity: ‘H,’ a well known Muslim leader, and ‘M,’ the son of a well-respected Muslim tribal leader. The two conversions angered Muslim leaders in the surrounding region.
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“The worship service gained the attention of the whole village, including Muslim leaders who responded violently by instigating a riot, using gangs in the area. The gangs were carrying local weapons such as knives, stones, and metal rods.
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According to ICC, “H” was beaten badly, receiving five deep wounds to his head. Because he was beaten with an iron rod, he was also missing teeth. He suffered deep lacerations to his legs, where several ligaments protruded from the skin. “H’s” daughter-in-law was pregnant at the time but lost her baby because she was also severely beaten.

In total, twelve people were seriously injured; five others were found to have lacerations on their body and received medical treatment in Shashamene Kuyera Hospital. “H” also received care and has recovered from the attack.

The release went on to say that the Christians reported the riot to the district government administrative office, which took no legal action. Instead, the officers warned Christians not to worship in a region that is predominately Muslim. It is important to note that all officers who heard the case were in fact Muslim.

Muslims Attack Christians in Henno, Ethiopia
Assist News, October 19, 2006

Christian convert forcibly taken to a mosque on suspicion that he had left Islam. Attacked and stabbed by three Muslim men for refusing to enter and pray

According to International Christian Concern (ICC), on September 13, the Muslim men forcefully took Muhammad Ali, a new Christian convert from Islam, to a mosque on suspicion that he had left Islam. They asked Ali to enter and pray at the mosque. When he refused, they stabbed him on the hip with a knife.
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A Christian leader who wants to remain anonymous told ICC, “We know that the detained assailant will soon be released. One of the imprisoned Muslims even threatened to attack me once he was released. We must suffer for the sake of the gospel. What we need from you is to pray for us.”
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"The Ethiopian constitution guarantees freedom of religion, but sadly Christians living in Muslim-dominated parts of the country suffer persecution at the hands of radicals," said Jonathan Racho, ICC's Regional Manager for Africa.

Ethiopian Christian Stabbed For Leaving Islam
Worthy News, September 22, 2010

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