Macedonian Orthodox Christian church set alight
An Orthodox Christian church famed for its valuable icons was set alight in southern Macedonia overnight, authorities said Tuesday, as religious tension between Christians and minority Muslims grew over a carnival in which men dressed as women in burqas and mocked the Quran.
Firefighters extinguished the fire late Monday in the two century-old Sveti Nikola church, in the village of Labunista near the town of Struga. The church’s roof was partly destroyed but its icons were not damaged, the fire service said.
Hours before the fire, Muslim leaders had appealed for calm among community members.
The Jan. 13 Vevcani festival prompted angry, sometimes violent demonstrations by Muslims, who are nearly all ethnic Albanian and make up 33 percent of the country’s 2.1 million population and accuse the majority of stoking hatred.
Ethnic tension has been simmering in this small Balkan country since the end of an armed rebellion in 2001, when ethnic Albanian rebels fought government forces for about eight months, seeking greater rights for their community. The conflict left 80 people dead, and ended with the intervention of NATO peacekeepers.
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Once again the "religion" of peace rears it's ugly head to strike….like a venemous snake!
-ScarfaceBoth sides were very wrong here. What the Muslims did is horrible.
-davesJust one more person justifying why muslims are allowed to burn, rape, pillage and blow up whomever they choose.
-JoJoDaves just said that what the Muslims did was horrible. How does that make him guilty of justifying why Muslims are allowed to burn, rape, pillage and blow up whomever they choose?
Instead of reading into what a person says, maybe you could try paying attention to what is actually said.
-Linda F.The main issues it seems is when Islam enters the area they accuse the majority of stoking hatred by not changing their culture or lifestyle to fit the new Islamic desires..
-decarlisleHmmm, kinda like europe, the UK, Canada and the US…states like Michigan specifically. If we're not careful, they will be raiding a city near you and beheading people. I just hope that people wise up to this made up, peaceful "religion"
-JoJoIf you say you are a Christian be sure you are not lying. A Christian is a representative of JESUS CHRIST. If you are representing Satan do not say you are a Christian. When you call yourself a Christian and represent Satan, that means you are trying to give all Christians a bad name. People think you are telling the truth and think real Christian are like you. We are not to be involved in brawls, though we are expected to protect our own. JESUS told HIS to go and preach the gospel, if it was not received, walk away, not fight over it. WE CANNOT FORCE IT. EVERY PERSON HAS A RIGHT TO CHOSE.
-MyrtlelinderAmen!
-daves