Former Muslim sheikh in Uganda terrorized for converting to Christianity

A former Islamic sheikh or teacher in Eastern Uganda was beaten unconscious by Muslim villagers after he announced that he had converted to Christianity earlier this month.

Malik Higenyi, who lives in Bufuja village in the Butaleja District, told Morning Star News that he received threatening messages on his phone before his field of maize crops were destroyed on Nov. 23.

One anonymous text read: "Be informed that you risk your life and that of the entire family if you happen to come back to your house. We curse you and your family. You are an apostate according to Islamic law, and you deserve to die."

The 30-year-old Higenyi revealed that he secretly came to Christ on April 16 and he openly declared his faith at his church on Nov. 13. Sources said that the mosque in nearby Lubanga village immediately found out about Higenyi's conversion.

"Before reaching my house, suddenly I was attacked by three people," he told Morning Star News.

"They started shouting, saying I am a disgrace to the Muslim fraternity of Lubanga mosque," he added.

Higenyi said that he was hit with a blunt object and he fell unconscious. He sustained a head wound and a broken bone in his right hand.

The former sheikh was reportedly ostracized by his family and the opposition to his conversion was supported by Local County 1 Chairman Walubi Mailadi. He and his family fled from their home to an undisclosed location for fear of another attack.

Higenyi and his family received Christ after a local pastor visited their home. The pastor, whose name was withheld for security reasons, continued to teach Higenyi in the following months.

The Muslims from Lubanga mosque have been discussing Higenyi's punishment since they heard of his conversion.

"Please pray for Higenyi's family at this difficult time, for they are emotionally troubled," said the pastor.

According to the East African Center for Law and Justice (EACLJ), 84 percent of Ugandans are Christians and 12 percent are Muslims, who are mostly Sunni.

There have been several reports that Christian converts in the country are being killed or shunned by their families. There are also persistent threats from terrorist groups like Al-Shabaab which has threatened to attack churches.