In September 2023, extremist mobs attacked Christian houses and businesses – including Jemal’s* – in order to eliminate Christians from the town. Jemal and his family were displaced, but Christian charity Open Doors is helping them rebuild their lives.
VIDEO SCRIPT
Jemal
Recently, radical Muslims have been putting great pressure on Christians here. The abuse and injustice being done to us is getting worse. The abuse of Christians in Ethiopia should not remain hidden.
Jamal was a successful Christian businessman in his town in Ethiopia. But then radical Muslim clerics started preaching in the local mosques. In September 2023 extremist mobs attacked Christian houses and businesses in an effort to eliminate Christians from the town.
Jemal
This tension that started escalated into chaos. Homes were burned, properties were destroyed, and people were attacked again. In one day everything was destroyed. I wasn’t as worried for myself as I was for my children, but my greatest fear was that they would kill my children. But we escaped.
Many Christian homes were destroyed in the attack, and so were Jamal’s wood and metal workshops, leaving him without an income. In all, 375 families were displaced from the area. Jemal and his family found refuge in a church compound in a nearby town.
Jemal
We stayed here for the whole two months. There were 136 of us displaced here. We stayed in these rooms here and there. There were eight of us living from this end to that end. Then there were four more people staying there. So in total, there were 12 people in here. So we had to make a path for people to walk.
When I came here, I felt really sad as a father. I felt so bad that we were dependent.
But after the attack Open Doors, local partners assisted Jemal with spiritual support, trauma care and practical help. He was able to return to his town and rebuild his businesses. And so the Christian presence there has not been lost.
Jemal
They believed that they had destroyed us, that we would never return. We responded, we will not fail. We have people who stand by us. First and foremost, I realized there are people out there who pray for me. Being able to provide for my family again and fulfil their needs is the greatest achievement for me.
I’m very happy now. I’m very happy. I was left with nothing before, but now I am able to provide for them again.
People Interviewed and their Titles
Jemal – name changed for security reasons.
Recording Location
Ethiopia
Organization featured in this Story
Open Doors UK – www.opendoorsuk.org
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