‘Faith should never justify violence’ say Muslims after church attack

MOZAMBIQUE’S Muslim community has condemned ongoing attacks by jihadists in the north, who have increasingly targeted Christians.

Following an assault on St Louis de Montfort Church in Minhoene village, near Meza, Cabo Delgado Province, the Islamic Community of Mozambique (ICM) contacted Bishop António Juliasse of Pemba, distancing itself from acts of violence. 

ICM said: “The Islamic Community of Mozambique expresses its deepest concern over the recent attacks carried out in the province of Cabo Delgado, particularly the destruction of community infrastructure and places of worship in Meza.”

Armed fighters linked to Islamic State: Central Africa Province entered the parish, setting fire to the church, offices and the priests’ residence at 4am on 30th April.

The militants also vandalised the kindergarten.

The ICM letter, a copy of which was shared with Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), stated its “firm and unequivocal condemnation of all acts of violence against civilian populations, as well as the destruction of religious spaces, regardless of their confession.”

They added: “At this time, we express our solidarity with the Catholic community and all the families affected by these events, and stress that faith should never be used to justify violence, fear or division.”

Bishop António Juliasse of Pemba described the message as a “sign of hope and a symbol of human fraternity.”

He said: “I would like to thank our Muslim brothers for their message. It helps us to distinguish, in practical terms, the Muslim religion from those who attempt to radicalise it and use it to spread messages of hatred, death and destruction.”

Mozambique is a Christian majority country, though Muslims are the majority in the north.

The Islamist insurgency in Mozambique, which started in 2017, has reportedly claimed more than 6,300 lives, with at least 1 million displaced since it began.

The main terrorist group, known locally as Al Sunnah wa Jama’ah or Al-Shabab – which is not connected to the Al-Shabab group operating in Kenya and Somalia – is affiliated with Islamic State: Central Africa Province. 

According to Church sources at least 300 Catholics have been brutally killed in attacks specifically targeting Christians including catechists, pastoral workers, lay faithful and religious Sisters. 

Around 118 Christian places of worship have also been destroyed by jihadists, including St Louis de Montfort Church.

ACN continues to support the Church in Mozambique with projects including humanitarian aid and psycho-social support. 

With thanks to Paulo Aido