Three violent incidents against Christian ministers have left believers concerned over the future of religious freedom. On Feb 17 gunmen waited for Father Evaristus Mushi as he parked his car outside his church, they surrounded the car and killed him. He was an advocate of interfaith dialogue. Also two days later a church was burned down. On Feb 2 Pastor Mathayo Kachili was hacked to death when he intervened in an altercation over the slaughter of an animal. A group of Muslims had demanded immediate closure of butcheries owned by Christians. On Boxing Day Father Ambrose Mkenda was shot as he left his car, the gunmen then ransacked the rectory. The Secretary General of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference said the situation signalled a plot to destroy peace in the country. The situations on Zanzibar remain tense. Islamic extremism is the main persecution dynamic for the country.
Pray: for peace to prevail in the communities affected by the violence, may the government take decisive action in resolving issues pertinent to the incidents. (Ps.7:8-9)