At about 19h00, after a service, a mob of nearly 200 youths gathered at the UCKG temple and pulled all the chairs out and set fire to them.
Photographs of the fire were taken by UCKG members with their phones, since the local government did not allow photography with professional cameras.
The event which took place late on Wednesday the 8th of September in the Guediawaye region of Dakar, Senegal is believed to be a reprisal for statements made by controversial American pastor, Terry Jones, of the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida, who threatened to burn copies of the Koran, Islam’s holy book. Jones has just released the book “Islam is the devil” and has caused worldwide controversy with his remarks against Islam.
Pastors and church members who were inside the church at the time were not injured.
According to Bishop Luis Valente, reponsible for of the UCKG’s evangelistic work in Senegal, church services will be suspended throughout Ramadan (the Muslim fasting period). The attack on the temple will only be reported on Monday for the authorities to determine if and when the UCKG can resume its activities.
Photographs of the fire were taken by UCKG members with their phones, since the local government did not allow photography with professional cameras.
In an interview with ABC this morning, U.S. President, Barack Obama, criticised Jones saying his plans could “put at great risk men and women in uniform,” referring to U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
Interpol released a statement saying: “If burning of the Koran is even performed by the pastor, there is increased likelihood of further attacks on innocent people.”
The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God does not approve of the attitude of Terry Jones, which may provoke attacks on Christians around the world.
Months back, international news agencies reported that Pastor Terry Jones had given up burning the books of the Quran, giving the pressures of the repercussions of the event worldwide. Jones has said previously that could give up the idea if the White House came into contact with him.
By: Unipress International