Senegalese youths burn church, destroy bar

[Pedro]

Youths burn church, destroy bar

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The Associated Press

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DAKAR, Senegal — Hundreds of Muslim protesters descended on a Jehovah's Witness temple and a bar in a conservative Muslim neighborhood of the Senegalese capital on Sunday, setting the buildings on fire in a rare instance of religious extremism in the predominantly Muslim nation.

Thierno Mbeugne, spokesman for the local imam association, said the head imam in the conservative Yoff district of Dakar had asked the youths to march on Sunday against what they considered "acts of aggression against their faith." They were targeting the temple because they claim its members were proselytizing, and the bar because it was selling alcohol.

He said the Islamic religious leaders did not endorse the violence, "but they do think that the youths were right" to destroy the church and the bar.

One of the rioters Mame Faye, 24, explained that the mob set upon the temple while churchgoers were praying inside before setting upon the bar.

Other witnesses, however, said that the hundreds of protesters burst into the establishment and began drinking the cans of beer. They then stripped the building, making off with the refrigerator, the air conditioners and the furniture. Then they set it on fire.

A doctor who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press said his clinic had treated 37 people, including several wounded police officers. One had a stab wound. The police used tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Mbeugne claimed that the head of the temple had been actively trying to convert locals. He said that under the cover of teaching English, she had started handing out crosses and Jehovah's Witness literature.

Article Source: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/World/20110627/senegal-youths-burn-church-destroy-bar-110627/

[Brother_Bliss]

My apologies to Daily Text subscribers. I didn't realize this was posted to the Daily Text forum when I had approved the message.

Pedro, could we have a link to the source of the news item?

And by the way, welcome to the board!

- Bob

[Corvus]

What's interesting is the fact that the spokesman was caught in a lie about our sister when he said that "she had started handing out crosses and Jehovah's Witness literature".

It's a good warning to us when speaking to Muslims, proselytising to Muslims by non-Muslims is strictly verboten in Muslim occupied areas, any admiration for our belief that the Father is God alone is lost when we attempt to make disciples.

[trottigy]

It's a good warning to us when speaking to Muslims, proselytising to Muslims by non-Muslims is strictly verboten in Muslim occupied areas, any admiration for our belief that the Father is God alone is lost when we attempt to make disciples.

While proselytising is forbidden by Muslims - Jesus said, "19 Go therefore and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded YOU. And, look! I am with YOU all the days until the conclusion of the system of things.” (Matt 28:19,20)

So rather than listen to Mohamed or Allah (the god of the Muslim's) we obey Jesus and his Father Jehovah (the true God) and proselytize. Albeit, we do it discretely - "cautious as serpents and yet innocent as doves." (Matt 10:16) Let them admire the truth and our desire to be obedient rather than our desire to appease and to attain their admiration!

The hall will be rebuilt - Jehovah willing

[Pedro]

This news article appered in our local newspaper Fiji Times

[trottigy]

This news article appeared in our local newspaper Fiji Times

It is on the AP wire also. If you google "Sengel Church Burn" you can find it. Just be cautious about the comments - any news story about JWs inevitably draws out the apostates.

[Precision]

This news article appeared in our local newspaper Fiji Times

Hi Pedro and to the forum.

Is there any way any of the local Brothers can write a comment to the editor of the newspaper to refute the article ?

Here too we have newspapers and magazines that occasionally print sensational headline grabbing articles and information.

How are all the brothers in Fiji ?

[rbrown1205]

There has GOT to be some kind of problem here. Passing out CROSSES with Jehovah's Witness literature? Going to a BAR after praying?

Whoever wrote this article has not gotten his facts straight. We know what we believe, and although we do not object to alcohol in moderation, this praying and then going to a bar business is not what we do,at least not as a congregation. I have a feeling that they are referring to the Memorial - the only legitimate time when alcohol and praying go together.