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2018-08-09

• Sunni Islam Declared Official Religion

  

  Constitutional reforms approved in a referendum on July 30th have created concerns in the African island nation of Comoros. Opposition leaders called on people to boycott the referendum, believing that it was not legitimate.

  Along with extending the power and term of the president, one area of particular concern to religious minorities in the country is the removal of a clause separating religion and state. Previously, the country was considered an Islamic state, but the constitutional change now officially declares it as such with the following declaration: "The state draws from this religion the principles and rules of Sunnite observance."

• Plans of Weekly Church Closures

  

  Christians residing in the Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra state have been warned by fellow villagers of the intent to close one church every week. Since June, more than a dozen homes belonging to Christians have been attacked across five villages.

  The believers have been told that, unless they renounce their faith, the water supply will be cut off and food subsidies will be stopped. In a recent incident that took place on August 5th, Gallu Kowasi was badly beaten in the village of Kospundi by locals who were demanding that he abandon his faith. Several others have faced threats of death or expulsion.