Bishop sees ‘tolerant’ Islam in the Comoros
June 10, 2011
A year after his appointment as the first bishop of the overwhelmingly Muslim Comoros--which consists of three islands between mainland Africa and Madagascar--Bishop Mahuza Yava told Aid to the Church in Need that Christians are “well accepted and tolerated.”
“It is a tolerant Islam which has nothing to do with extremism,” he said. “We can freely express ourselves as long as we don’t proselytize. We do not have to fear for our lives as long as we do not infringe upon Islam.”
Bishop Yava added, however, that “a woman who marries a Muslim man will be forced to convert to Islam if she is not strong in her faith,” and “Christian children are badgered by their Muslim friends at school to convert to Islam.”
Most of the nation’s 6,000 Catholics are foreign workers.
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Further information:
- Comoros - Islands of hope (Aid to the Church in Need)
- 1st bishop to be ordained for Muslim Comoros (CWN, 6/4/10)
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Posted by: Obregon -
Jun. 10, 2011 2:51 PM ET USA
Bishop Yava added, however, that “a woman who marries a Muslim man will be forced to convert to Islam if she is not strong in her faith,” and “Christian children are badgered by their Muslim friends at school to convert to Islam.” But, of course, the bishop finds them "tolerant."
