Muslim extremists torch churches on Zanzibar island

FUONI, Tanzania — Muslim extremists burned down a church building on Zanzibar island off the coast of Tanzania on July 30, church leaders said, just three days after another congregation’s facility on the island was reduced to ashes.

In Fuoni on the south coast of Zanzibar island, Islamic extremists torched the building of the Evangelical Assemblies of God-Tanzania (EAGT) at about 2 p.m., said Pastor Leonard Massasa, who oversees Zanzibar’s EAGT churches. The assailants were shouting, “Away with the church — we do not want infidels to spoil our community, especially our children,” Massasa said. In Kianga about six miles from Zanzibar town, another church building was burned down July 27 at about 2 a.m., said Pastor George Frank Dunia of Free Evangelical Pentecostal Church in Africa. Tanzania Assemblies of God Pastor Yohana Ari Mfundo said he has witnessed a series of attacks on Christians on neighboring Pemba island.

“We are here in Pemba because God wants us to be. But Muslims always point a finger at us — especially at my house — and we have been receiving several threats,” Mfundo said.