Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kara (Agenzia Fides) - In recent days, acts of xenophobia have been unleashed by the Ivorian population against Nigerians residing in Ivory Coast following a fake video spread on social media. "Xenophobia is the denial of the teachings given by the Gospel and the Koran - writes Father Donald Zagore, Ivorian theologian of the Society for African Missions (SMA) to Agenzia Fides about the umpteenth unfortunate episode. The Gospel and the Koran support love of neighbor, xenophobia preaches hatred, and it is inconceivable that predominantly religious countries such as Ivory Coast carry out this type of anti-religious practice". "Ours are predominantly religious countries, our mosques and churches are full every day, but daily life strongly contradicts religious values. We must never stop condemning such episodes that reveal a serious problem. Man's life is sacred and no one has the right to take it away from anyone", insists Zagore. The missionary concludes with the reflection that the presence of God cannot be reduced to the activities of churches or mosques without having an important impact on the daily life of the faithful. "The commitment of religious leaders to make religious values the basis of all social life is of fundamental importance". (DZ/AP) (Agenzia Fides, 24/5/2021)
