Wednesday, June 09, 2010

Afghans Burn Effigy Of Pope

Afghans on Tuesday have burned an effigy of Pope Benedict XVI out of anger over claims that certain charities preached Christianity in Afghanistan which is a Muslim country.

The allegations were made against U.S-based Church, World Service and Norwegian Church Aid who deny that they were proselytizing.

Pursuant to the allegations the Afghan government suspended them last week while conducting an investigation into the claims made in an Afghan television report.

On Tuesday over a thousand people marched in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif, demanding that organizations that preach Christianity in Afghanistan be banned.

The crowd roared approval as protesters doused the effigy of the pope in kerosene and lit it.

They shouted: "Death to America! Long Live Islam!"

According to aid workers the allegations will increase the threat to staff already at risk of attack from insurgents.

SIC: NT