Photo: Unsplash / Abanezer Shewaga
For more than 1,400 years, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has coexisted with Muslim communities in a unique truce with only occasional tension between them. (This long-standing relationship traces back to the year 615, when the King of Aksum granted asylum to a group of early Muslims.) Any subsequent religious opposition in Ethiopia has primarily been between adherents of one of these two religions and those belonging to other groups, including evangelical Christians. In recent months, however, there has been a troubling shift. Militant Islamic groups have reportedly begun targeting Orthodox Christian communities, particularly in areas of the country that are now primarily Muslim.
In late February, armed Islamic attackers carried out coordinated assaults in the East Arsi zone. More than 20 Orthodox Christians were killed, including a priest who was murdered inside his church building. Homes, churches and other buildings were looted and destroyed. In March and April, additional attacks were reported.
Beginning on May 30th, several more villages came under attack. Local reports suggest that as many as 40 people may have been killed in these attacks, and hundreds of others displaced. During the most recently occurring assaults, a century-old church building in Teleta Gebriel was reduced to ashes. According to local sources, the attackers had given advance warning of their plans. It appears that members of the Orthodox church were specifically targeted and, according to reports, dozens of them had been forcibly converted to Islam.
One Ethiopian source described the violence as "very disturbing," noting that this is the first time he has heard of such widespread intense attacks against Orthodox Christian communities. While the exact cause of the violence from Islamic groups remains unknown, various factors may have contributed. In 2022, an ambush by unidentified armed men killed 20 Muslim worshippers in the northern region of Amhara. In addition, several militant groups in neighbouring Somalia – including the al-Qaeda-affiliated organization, al-Shabaab – remain active within the region. To review more details on the persecution of Christians in Ethiopia, and/or to watch informative video reports, go to our country profile.
- Pray that God will minister greatly needed peace to the members of these targeted communities, putting an end to the violent attacks by softening the hearts of the perpetrators, so that fear and hostility will give way to understanding, tolerance and reconciliation.
- Uphold those who are mourning the recent loss of their loved ones, as well as the victims who have lost homes and livelihoods, praying that they would experience God's caring presence, comfort and provision in the midst of their sorrow.
- Ask the Lord to specifically provide the displaced victims with protection and shelter, guiding them to places of safety and raising compassionate support to meet their practical and spiritual needs.
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