Christians in Mali are living in fear as Islamist
rebels fight to maintain control of the north of the
country.
The church has experienced a sharp increase in
hostilities since March 2012, when Tuareg separatist rebels and extremist
Islamist fighters captured the north of Mali and instituted an extreme form of
Sharia (Islamic Law). The insurgents destroyed churches and other Christian
buildings in Timbuktu and Gao, with the aim of eradicating all traces of
Christianity in the region. They also were very hard on more moderate Muslims,
killing people, amputating limbs and destroying Sufi
sanctuaries.
The harsh conditions prompted thousands to flee.
According to the UN High Commission for Refugees, more than 250,000 Malians
escaped to neighbouring countries and about 200,000 fled to Bamako in the
south.
Due to the rise to power of the rebels and
Islamists in the north and the subsequent dramatic rise of persecution of
Christians, Mali jumped to No. 7 on the Open Doors 2013 World Watch List.
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