Four men have been imprisoned in Moroni, Comoros for their "involvement in Christianity" according to a June 14 report from the Dutch office of Open Doors. Open Doors reports that police have allegedly detained a former Muslim teenager, a married couple, a Muslim home owner and another Muslim who showed interest in Christianity.
The arrests took place in May, following a complaint by the brother of a fifteen-year-old Christian who was angry that his brother had abandoned Islam. During his interrogation, the young man reportedly told police, "I am a follower of Jesus and study the Bible." Police forced him to reveal the location of the home where the Bible studies were held. They then arrested the Bible study leader and the owner of the home. While searching the residence, police also found Bibles and other Christian literature, as well as a list containing the names of other Christians.
When the Bible study leader's wife came to visit him in prison, she was also arrested. Two days later, she was sent to a women's prison where she was mistreated by guards and fellow prisoners. She has since been released but the four men have each been sentenced to three months in prison.
Comoros is a small three-island nation off the east coast of Africa and is predominantly Sunni Muslim. While freedom of religion is guaranteed in the constitution, the three church buildings in the nation are restricted to foreigners only. Citizens must worship in their homes. In May 2006, the presidential election was won by an Iranian-trained Sunni Muslim cleric, Ahmed Abdallah Mohamed Sambi. Popularly known as "the Ayatollah," human rights observers have been concerned he may implement strict Islamic laws. However, Sambi denies this, saying, "I am not ashamed to be a Muslim but our country is not ready to be an Islamic state and I will not make anyone wear the veil."
It is reported that both the young convert and the Bible study leader have suffered mistreatment while in detention. Pray that the four men will remain faithful to Christ in the midst of adversity (1 Peter 5:8-10). Pray for peace and comfort for the families of those arrested. Pray that there would be true religious freedom in the Comoros Islands.
For more information on Comoros and the persecution of Christians there, click here.
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