Diocese Urges Authorities to Apprehend Perpetrators Following Coordinated Attack in Somali Regional State
Staff Writer
(Nairobi, Kenya) — An organized group completely demolished the Medhanealem Church in Jigjiga, the capital of the Somali Regional State, according to a statement released by the Somali Diocese.
The diocese published video footage on its official social media channel displaying the fully razed structure. Church officials confirmed that unidentified yet coordinated perpetrators carried out the assault.
In the wake of the incident, the diocese urged regional security agencies and local authorities to take immediate action, restore public order, and apprehend those responsible. Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church has been facing recurring attacks in different parts of the country, particularly in Oromia region, for several years now.
Church leaders noted that the destruction represents a grave breach of religious rights and a direct threat to the country’s long-standing culture of interfaith tolerance.
The incident underscores the rising security threats confronting the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, whose historical sites, monasteries, and places of worship face deliberate vandalism alongside increasing reports of displacement and violence against clergy and congregants.
Reaffirming its commitment to non-violence and endurance, the Church reiterated its demand for federal and regional authorities to safeguard religious institutions and guarantee the constitutional right of all citizens to worship without fear.
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These are not ordinary Ethiopian Somalis. They must be remnants of the WSLF. I wonder what these self-acclaimed experts in the Horn Africa policy here among us say or think about this?
This must be universally condemned. Any desecration of places of worship must be condemned by all humanity. What does the leader of the Somali region think about this? He should come out and denounce this evil act.
Meanwhile, I count on the dear editors of this esteemed website to do their best they can to do an independent investigation and tell us what really happened. We now live in a murky information world.
We will rebuild it bigger and better. This stupid fanatics will never win.
This is not an isolated incident in Jigjiga. In August 2018, when the conflict between the federal government and Abdi Illey’s Somali regional administration erupted, Jigjiga descended into violence. Orthodox churches were specifically targeted: at least eight churches were burned, several Orthodox priests were killed, and thousands of people sought refuge inside church compounds. Human Rights Watch documented attacks by armed groups and Liyu Police elements, while the U.S. State Department also recorded the burning of churches and killing of clergy.
The point is not to collectively blame Somalis or Muslims for what happened. The point is that the destruction of Orthodox churches in Jigjiga has a documented history. When another Orthodox church is now reportedly demolished, the authorities owe the public more than a vague condemnation. They need to establish who did it, why they did it, whether this was deliberate religious targeting, and hold those responsible accountable.
A church being demolished is not merely the loss of a building. Given Jigjiga’s history, it carries a much heavier significance.
Who are those unlucky/unhappy people? The Jigjigas?
It reminds me of the Babylonians who dared to reach the Heavens in order to catch God and subdue Him. God new their evil intention and confused their monolingual language so that they could not understand each other and stopped immediately their plan. Historically, an Orthodox Church or Christian never attacked Other religious bulding, Shrine or Cemeteries!!! Instead We give a High honor and Reverence!!
It’s “HARAM”!!!! ORTHODOX TEWAHEDO CHURCH is simply, & extremely peaceful!! Where does this hate come from?
Tell me please in the Name of Allah the Misericorde!
Allah never never allow to kill, to demolish , or destroy His People’s Dignity.
Allah Akbar!!