DJIBOUTI: A Country where Christianity belongs to Foreigners
|
| Ms. Annie Mikobi |
Although
religious freedom is guaranteed in the constitution, the majority of
inhabitants who practice Christianity in Djibouti are expatriates and other immigrants
from various countries. “It is not permitted to evangelize to the local people.
But at least we are grateful that the government recognizes the presence of the
Church, they recognize that we are there, the churches are there so that when
Christians come from outside they can go worship and meet together,” says Ms.
Annie M. Mikobi, a medical practitioner from DRC Congo.
religious freedom is guaranteed in the constitution, the majority of
inhabitants who practice Christianity in Djibouti are expatriates and other immigrants
from various countries. “It is not permitted to evangelize to the local people.
But at least we are grateful that the government recognizes the presence of the
Church, they recognize that we are there, the churches are there so that when
Christians come from outside they can go worship and meet together,” says Ms.
Annie M. Mikobi, a medical practitioner from DRC Congo.
Speaking to
AMECEA Online News in Dar-es-Salaam during AMECEA Workshop to revive the
Council of Laity for Eastern Africa where she was a delegate representing
Djibouti, Ms. Mikobi says that what few local inhabitants who convert to
Christianity are in most cases scared of their Muslim relatives and therefore
opt to live their Christian lives in secret to avoid being rejected by family
members
AMECEA Online News in Dar-es-Salaam during AMECEA Workshop to revive the
Council of Laity for Eastern Africa where she was a delegate representing
Djibouti, Ms. Mikobi says that what few local inhabitants who convert to
Christianity are in most cases scared of their Muslim relatives and therefore
opt to live their Christian lives in secret to avoid being rejected by family
members
“There are
very few locals who practice Christian faith openly, these are people whose
parents were Christians or those who were adopted by the nuns and so they grew
up as Christians. However, even this small percentage still does not fully embrace
Christian life and rarely do they engage actively in the Church activities,”
she said.
very few locals who practice Christian faith openly, these are people whose
parents were Christians or those who were adopted by the nuns and so they grew
up as Christians. However, even this small percentage still does not fully embrace
Christian life and rarely do they engage actively in the Church activities,”
she said.
According to
Ms. Mikobi, Muslims in Djibouti believes that for anyone to go to paradise, to
go to heaven, they must convert to Islam. She said that the expatriates and
other immigrants live and work in harmony with the Muslim inhabitants, most of
whom appreciate totally the work they do; however the call to convert to Islam
is constant, ‘why can’t you just convert and become a Muslim, you should become
a Muslim so that you will go to heaven.’
Ms. Mikobi, Muslims in Djibouti believes that for anyone to go to paradise, to
go to heaven, they must convert to Islam. She said that the expatriates and
other immigrants live and work in harmony with the Muslim inhabitants, most of
whom appreciate totally the work they do; however the call to convert to Islam
is constant, ‘why can’t you just convert and become a Muslim, you should become
a Muslim so that you will go to heaven.’
“I have also
been approached countless of times by locals who are close to me telling me
that you are so good, you are a Muslim at heart, what is lacking is just for
you to convert, just say the prayer, say that you believe in the prophet,” said
Ms. Mikobi.
been approached countless of times by locals who are close to me telling me
that you are so good, you are a Muslim at heart, what is lacking is just for
you to convert, just say the prayer, say that you believe in the prophet,” said
Ms. Mikobi.
Republic of Djibouti
is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the
north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The
remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the
east. Approximately 95% of the Djiboutian population is Sunni Muslim.
is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the
north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The
remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the
east. Approximately 95% of the Djiboutian population is Sunni Muslim.
However, Ms. Mikobi said
that the Catholic Church has been in Djibouti for the last 125 years. It was
brought in the country by the Franciscan Capuchins who built schools, hospitals
and tertiary training centers. “The majority of Djiboutian professionals were trained
in Catholic institutions, therefore, many locals have great respect to the
Church, but that has not influenced their religion,” she explained.
that the Catholic Church has been in Djibouti for the last 125 years. It was
brought in the country by the Franciscan Capuchins who built schools, hospitals
and tertiary training centers. “The majority of Djiboutian professionals were trained
in Catholic institutions, therefore, many locals have great respect to the
Church, but that has not influenced their religion,” she explained.
Source: Pamela Adinda, AMECEA Social Communications
