KAMPALA, Uganda — Islamic extremists threw acid on a church leader on Christmas Eve shortly after a revival at his church, leaving him with severe burns. Bishop Umar Mulinde, 37, an Islamic teacher before his conversion to Christianity, was attacked Dec. 24 near his Gospel Life Church International building in Namasuba, about six miles outside of Kampala.
From his hospital bed in Kampala, he said he was on his way to a party with the entire congregation and hundreds of new converts to Christianity when a man who claimed to be a Christian approached him. “I heard him say in a loud voice, ‘Pastor, pastor,’ and as I made a turn and looked at him, he poured the liquid onto my face as others poured more liquid on my back and then fled away shouting, ‘Allahu akbar (God is greater),’” Mulinde said, still visibly traumatized two days after the assault. His face, neck and arms bore deep black scars from the acid, and his lips were swollen.
“We are doing all we can to save his [one] remaining eye and to contain the acid from spreading to other parts of the body,” the doctor said. Mulinde said Muslim extremists opposed to his conversion from Islam and his outspoken opposition of Shariah (Islamic law) courts in Uganda attacked him. On Oct. 15, area Muslim leaders declared a fatwa against him demanding his death. Mulinde is known for debates locally and internationally in which he often challenges Muslims regarding their religion.
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