A Christian evangelist was reportedly tied up by Muslim relatives in Uganda earlier this month and told he would be burned to death over claims his faith had “embarrassed” the family.
Malingumu Bruhan, 34, was allegedly beaten and tied up Feb. 6, after attending a funeral service for his grandfather. He told Morning Star News, an outlet that monitors persecution, that his uncle came after him following the funeral, and others joined in attempting to kill him.
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Bruhan, who told the outlet he has survived 11 murder attempts, was rescued after a friend went looking for him and discovered him just before the family burned him to death.
At the core of the charges Bruhan’s family held against him was his penchant for sharing his faith and debating with Muslims in his community. His uncle allegedly said the Christian man needed to “receive punishment from Allah.”
And this penalty would come in the form of being burned alive.
“My uncle accused me of embarrassing them by holding Christian evangelistic, open-air meetings and debates with Muslims,” he said. “He accused me of being an infidel by converting to Christianity and that Allah will reward them in Jannah [garden paradise] if they kill me.”
Luckily, a friend who converted to Christianity was looking for Bruhan but was told he was not present on the grounds. But when the friend noticed one of Bruhan’s shoes had fallen off and lay in the area, he began reaching out to others who came to help find him.
“They found me behind the house about 100 meters away, tied and with firewood around me,” Bruhan told Morning Star News. “They tried calling the police, which scared the attackers, and they fled.”
Bruhan, who is lucky to be alive, sought medical attention and has moved to a secure location for his protection. He is asking for prayers that his injuries will heal so he can return to his ministry. Read more about his story here.
Uganda is a majority Christian country that affords its citizens religious freedom, though there have been some cases in recent years that mirror Brugan’s ordeal. Despite being 84% Christian, certain pockets of Uganda — particularly the eastern region — are Muslim-dominated.
In 2017, persecution watchdog Open Doors USA noted at least one region had become “essentially a self-governed sharia fiefdom” due to Uganda’s decentralized government.
And The Voice of the Martyrs has also explained how this dynamic often plays out.
“Christian converts from Islam face pressure from family members and harassment in Muslim communities,” the persecution watchdog noted. “Several young people who converted to Christianity have been severely beaten and injured by parents or community members. Pastors and churches have been attacked, and some converts have been killed after their faith became known.”
Pray for those facing persecution in Uganda and across the globe.
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