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Muslims Defy Courts to Forcibly Build Mosque
By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News)-- A Muslim mob in Deder, Ethiopia, has forced a Christian man from his home in order to build a mosque on his land despite court rulings that guaranteed the Christian's property rights.
According to International Christian Concern, Fikere Mengistu's family has owned their land for more than 90 years, but Muslims from Kufanzik village continue to forcibly build a mosque on the Mengistu farm.
Although Muslims claim Mengistu's land belongs to the government, courts have upheld Mengistu's title for two consecutive years.
"We did our best try to defend our faith based on the law of the country and with all our resources," Mengistu said. "Muslims are out of the control of the government and the law. What can we do?"
ICC had provided legal assistance to Mengistu when Muslims first attempted to steal his land, but though he won in court, they are still trying to take Mengistu's farm by force.
"The continued harassment of the Mengistu family in Deder is unacceptable," said ICC's Regional Manager of Africa Troy Augustine. "Governing authorities in the region are charged to uphold the Ethiopian law and the decisions of the courts instead of bending to pressure from the religious majority, or worse, participating in the persecution of Christians through illegal activities...."