MAURITANIA: Mob Desecrates Body, Threatens Christians

Though conversion can carry a death sentence, nearly all Mauritanian Christians are former Muslims.

Christians in the town of Selibaby fear for their safety after threats made on social media resulted in a mob attack and desecration of a grave. The social media posts called local Christians infidels and apostates and urged action against them. On 7 April, an angry mob entered a cemetery where a Christian man had recently been buried, destroyed his tombstone and exhumed his body. They then dragged his body through the streets to a village over 10 miles away to rebury it. Hate-filled media posts continued afterward with comments warning clans and family members to cease all contact with Christians. According to Front-Line Workers, the situation remains volatile.

They request prayer:

• that local Christians will feel the peace and presence of Christ.

• that they will have safety and freedom to worship.

• that, even in the midst of these circumstances, they will shine the light of Christ to their Muslim neighbours.