 Damage at the burnt church Photo: Morning Star News |
Militant Muslims, angered over the murder of an imam, sought retaliation by burning a neighbouring Salvation Army church on October 4th in the Kenyan coastal city of Mombasa. While the instigated attack was taking place, the young militants blocked the main road leading to the church and forced police to use tear gas and gunshots to disperse the out-of-control rioting. According to the Red Cross, four people were killed and at least seven wounded during the clashes between police and rebels, while the church was burning in flames.
A spokesperson from the country's security forces explained that the day before the church attack, the imam, Sheikh Ibrahim Omar, was killed in a drive-by shooting after preaching in a mosque linked to al-Shabaab, the Somali extremist group responsible for the torturous killing of 67 people in the September 21st attack at Nairobi's Westgate Mall. The Kenyan government has announced that it will launch a war against the extremists due to their involvement in the horrific atrocities that took place during the mall attack. However, its security leader, Robert Kitor, has publically assured that the security forces were not involved in the killing of Sheikh Omar.
Words can never express the depth of grief, shock, horror and devastation caused by these Islamic extremists in the lives of so many innocent victims and their loved ones, as well as the members of their communities. May the God of all comfort make His wonderful presence, healing and peace evident to them, along with the assurance that His righteousness and justice will indeed prevail. Not only does the Lord know the names of each perpetrator, He also knows their very thoughts, actions and intents to commit evil. Pray that the members of this militant group will awaken to His righteousness, experience great conviction and awareness of their sin, and succumb to the life-transforming power of His Holy Spirit.
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