Tanzania: Three Churches Torched in Two Hours
By Joseph DeCaro
(Worthy News) – Three church buildings were set ablaze on Sept. 22 in a region of northwestern Tanzania where Muslim extremists have threatened local Christians.
Pastor Vedasto Athanas of the Living Water International Church — one of the three churches whose buildings were gutted — told Morning Star News that Christians have been worried after violent attacks increased during the past few years.
“What is worrying us is that the burning of the three churches happened within a span of two hours,” he said. “What is even more worrying is that we have been receiving threats from Muslim extremists that they want churches reduced in this area.”
The other two churches set ablaze were the Pentecostal Assemblies of God and the Evangelical Assemblies of God; all three churches were located in the Kashfa Village area of Bukoba District.
“We have lost everything in our churches – the buildings, the chairs and musical instruments,” said Athanas. “Our members have nowhere to worship.
“We do request for prayers at this difficult moment.”
Tanzania’s Muslims represent 31 percent of the population while Christians make up 54 percent.