Worthy Christian News > Christian Persecution > Christian Persecution - Africa > Zanzibar > Zanzibar: Islamists Take Church’s Hall

Zanzibar: Islamists Take Church’s Hall

Thursday, June 25, 2015 | Tag Cloud Tags: Christian Persecution | Learn about our FREE SYNDICATION Service | Get news worthy of your attention! | Printer Friendly

By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News)– Islamists on the semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar off Tanzania’s coast have driven a local pastor into hiding after taking over his church’s rented hall.

According to Morning Star News, Pastor Philemon’s New Covenant Church has shrunk from 100 to 25 members after Muslims “persuaded” the landlord to rent the congregation’s worship hall to them before the church’s lease was up. What remains of the congregation now rotates among their own homes for worship.

“The church faithful are so scattered,” Philemon said. “Some members are always knocking at my door requesting a place for worship.”

Don’t miss the stories Christians should be watching — subscribe to the Worthy Brief.

But on Zanzibar, obtaining land for churches is difficult because the congregation must first purchase it as private property, otherwise the land owners of the Muslim-majority island would never sell it.

Although Tanzania’s population is mostly Christian, the Zanzibar archipelago is 97 percent Muslim.

people are currently praying.

Worthy News reports from a biblical worldview with a commitment to accuracy, transparency, and editorial independence. Learn more about About Worthy News, our Editorial Standards, AI Use Policy, Ownership of Worthy News, News Tips and Corrections, and Worthy News Staff.

💡 Did you know? One of the best ways you can support Worthy News is by simply leaving a comment and sharing this article.

📢 Social media algorithms push content further when there’s more engagement — so every 👍 like, 💬 comment, and 🔄 share helps more people discover the truth. 🙌

Discuss this article in our forums

Latest Worthy News

Ukrainian Drone Strikes Kill At Least 13 Deep Inside Russia (Worthy News Radio)

Archaeologists Uncover Church Tied to Nicaea—Where Christianity Made a Historic Break From Its Jewish Roots

Massive 7.4 Earthquake Rocks Colombia as Powerful Quakes Again Shake the World

Trump’s ‘D.C. Safe Again’ Crackdown Marks One Year With 16,000 Arrests

Trump Turns Up Economic Pressure on Iran as Rial Collapses and Regime Faces Deepening Crisis

Pakistan Christians Fear Blasphemy Violence Despite Crackdown (Worthy News In-Depth)

Netanyahu Launches National AI Program, Vows Israel Will Become Global Power

Deadly Russia-Ukraine Strikes Escalate As Kyiv Seeks More Weapons

Sudanese Pastor, Six Others Executed After Arrest in Nuba Mountains

Fair Use Notice:This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.