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persecution.com |
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Persecution on the Rise in Ethiopia
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Located in the heart of the Horn of Africa, Ethiopia is a strategically important country for those working to share the gospel and expand God’s kingdom on the continent. But as bold Ethiopian Christians share the gospel throughout the country and along its borders with several Islamic countries, they are facing persecution from three different groups. Radicalized Oromo Muslims in the South In the southern Oromia region, which is roughly 60% Muslim, Christian communities have been devastated by multiple large-scale attacks in the past few years. Radicalized Muslims have specifically targeted and destroyed church buildings as well as Christian-owned homes and businesses. Many Christians have suffered severe beatings, and some have even been beheaded. “That’s the most severe persecution of Christians,” a VOM worker said. “It is in line with what you’d see in other Muslim countries.”
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Traditional Christians in the North In the northern and northwestern parts of Ethiopia, 97% of the population are members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, whose teachings vary dramatically from biblical Christianity and even from other Orthodox churches around the world. The small minority of biblical believers — including some working to reform the EOC from within — face beatings, imprisonment and the destruction of their property. In some cases, traditional Christians have sided with Muslims against the biblical Christians, who are considered a common enemy. “There have been towns where all the evangelical churches have been destroyed,” a VOM worker said. “Many people have had homes destroyed.” Somali Islamic Nationalists in the East Many of the nearly 5 million Somalis who have fled their country and settled in eastern Ethiopia have brought their strong sense of Somali Islamic nationalism with them. As a result, Somalis in Ethiopia who leave Islam to follow Christ are often beaten and ostracized, if not killed. Although our Christian brothers and sisters in Ethiopia face growing persecution, they continue to share the gospel, love their enemies and advance the kingdom throughout the Horn of Africa. Your prayers and gifts help support these faithful believers.
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