In an interval of three weeks the Holy Father Pope Francis has sent two messages of condolences to our region AMECEA. The first one was sent to Kenya after the attack at the University in Garissa, where 147 students were brutally murdered. The second message was sent to His Holiness Abune Mathias, the Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church following inhumane killing of 30Ethiopian Christians in Libya by members of an Islamic group ISIS. In both messages, the Holy Father condemned these brutal acts of the killing of the innocent people and targeting of the Christians which is going on in Africa.
No one could imagine that in this 21st century one should still think of dividing people according to the religious beliefs. Some questions can be raised here. Could one still think that becoming a Christian or religion different from the other is a crime? Could one not think that human life, whether Muslim or Christian, is so precious and needs be protected? Worse enough, the ones committing these crimes, do they make themselves heroes by making these barbaric and cruel acts viewed by the society through social media?
On the African soil, we have now been witnessing the growing culture of death in the name of the Mujahideen. Despite the strong appeal and condemnation from religious leaders that such acts are against true religion, the situation as we have witnessed in Africa is horrifying.
Not long ago, in November 2014, the group called the Mujahideen claimed the responsibility for killings 28 Christians, who were attacked in a bus, calling them ‘Crusaders’ in Mandera, Kenya. Apart from this, the second incidence happened in Libya February 2015 where 21 men slaughtered on a Mediterranean beach by the members of Islamic State of Iraq and greater Syria (ISIS). These were Egyptian Coptic Christians. Then in Nigeria, until now many lives have been lost from the attacks and killings by Boko Haram.
In Kenya, many families and the entire nation is still in shock following the biggest tragedy that occurred on that morning of Holy Thursday, when gunmen stormed the Garissa University College. At least 147 students were killed and injuring 79. Al-Shabaab, a radical Islamic group controlled from Somalia, claimed responsibility for the attack. The survivors testify that the attackers separated students according to their religion; and that Muslims were spared while those who were identified as Christians were killed.
The people and families in Ethiopia are mourning their loved ones who lost their lives because they are Christians. It was horrifying to see, on You Tube/Television, the brutal killings of those 30 innocent Ethiopian Christians who were murdered in Libya by the ISIS group.
At the heart of the teachings of every religion, God is the centrality of faith; God is the source and sustainer of our existence, the love and respect for the life of others and all the values that aim at building harmony among peace and co-existence. What is happening on the continent of Africa and in the world, where some are using name of religion to kill innocent people should be condemned by all people.
The AMECEA family is standing in solidarity with the Holy Father in the condemnation of the killings going on in Africa and beyond in the name of Religion. As we strongly condemn these criminals, ungodly and inhumane atrocities against innocent people and Christians, we call on the religious leaders to play their prophetic role in order to calm the situation. There is need for leaders of the different faith groups in Africa to meet and discuss ways of addressing this situation in order to avoid growing prejudices and segregation of one group of people from the other.
It is a time when our political leaders in Africa made very strong and decisive resolutions to address the issue of insecurity and provide preventive measures to stop these crimes. It is also time for those who are charged with leadership at various levels of our communities to provide guidance and direction on how to address the challenge facing the broken social fabric which has become a breeding ground for extremism and religious intolerance.
While the international community has a role to play is supporting our efforts to improve our security, there is more required from all the citizens to take part in the war against terrorism because it is on every one’s door steps. Each and every citizen has an important role to play in ensuring the promotion of a secure environment for all, co-existence and respect of human life.
Once again, the AMECEA family is extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, citizens and all people of good will in Ethiopia and Kenya for the horrible loss of their loved ones. Let us all stand strong together to condemn all acts of terrorism in the name of religion.
May the Lord provide the families and friends of the victims with strength and solace.
From: AMECEA Online News -Editor