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Cameroonian Muslims and million others worldwide have gathered in Mecca, Saudi Arabia for the Hajj set to start on the 9th of September.
The Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and faithful Muslims are required to complete the journey at least once in their lifetime. It is a glorious opportunity to remember the unity that is at the heart of Islam, which is where all Muslims should be seeking to move.
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The Ghanaian pastor who flogged two adulterous members of his congregation during a church service has been arrested. Police confirmed that he was arrested in connection with a fraud case.
The pastor is said to have taken gold and monies totaling GHc 11.6 million (equivalent to $2.9m) from a complainant with the view to spiritually bless and increase the wealth. The bishop had failed to deliver on his promise or to give back the gold and money.
Bishop Daniel Obinim of the International God’s Way Church was held by police in Ghana’s industrial region of Tema after he handed himself in following an invitation from the police over the widely publicized flogging.
“We have just commenced investigation into this issue, when we finish we will hand him over to Domestic Violence Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) to investigate the domestic violence issue,” police disclosed to local media outlet, Joy FM.
Local media portals report that he was subsequently transferred to the Police headquarters in Accra for further questioning after his church members massed up at the Tema police station.
One of his associate pastors, who was on the viral social media clip of the flogging has also been charged with abetment of crime. Pictures making the rounds on Ghana’s social media space shows the Bishop in handcuffs with his associate pastor at the police headquarters in Accra.
Background to the story
Bishop Obinim was seen on video publicly flogging two young members of his church for indulging in fornication. The pastor used a belt to repeatedly flog the two who are said to be living with him.
The sexual escapades of the two is said to have resulted in a pregnancy that was subsequently aborted. The young lady is said to be an apprentice beauty therapist, whiles the young boy is unemployed.
The flogging was filmed and broadcast on the church’s TV channel and later went viral on social media.
Outrage and call for Obinim’s arrest
In the wake of the footage of the flogging, a huge social condemnation followed with calls for the arrest of the maverick preacher who has in the past courted controversy by his actions.
The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Nana Oye Lithur, reported Obinim to the Accra Regional Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit (DOVSSU), while another person also lodged a complaint against the bishop at the Tema Regional Police.
A private legal practitioner also filed a suit against the pastor for his actions. Lawyer Sosu is seeking an order from the Human Rights Division of the Accra High Court that would protect what he described as the fundamental human rights of members of Bishop Obinim’s church.
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A Ghanaian pastor is trending on social media after a circulating video shows him whipping a “pregnant” young woman and a man during church service for engaging in premarital sex.
In the Akan language, the event was live on the church’s satellite television channel on Wednesday with English translation heard faintly in the background as well as a cheering congregation.
Bishop Daniel Obinim, who is not new to controversies, was captured with a belt in one hand and a microphone in the other questioning while whipping the young shirtless man and the fleeing woman.
He questioned the young man, whom he described as a student, if he was financially capable of catering for the woman and a baby.
As he whips the two, the young woman whom he described as a beauty therapy apprentice, sought refuge from his wife who tried shielding her. Another pastor carried her back for more.
“I won’t forgive you. When you met her and you were having sex, did you think Prophet Obinim will not catch you? If he doesn’t catch you he will catch you in the room,” Obinim said while he whipped the man and asked other pastors to continue the flogging.
Reaction
The event has been condemned by Ghanaians on social media and some civil society groups.
“The public should be really upset. We think that Bishop Obinim is going beyond his jurisdiction at this time. This is a criminal offence [and] he should be arrested by the Police,” the Director of Amnesty International Ghana, Lawrence Amesu, told a locally based radio station on Thursday.
The church, International God’s Way Church, quickly reacted to the viral video and criticisms by issuing a statement urging the public not to jump into conclusions and condemn their leader.
“We have observed that some people with evil agenda are using the video to castigate and spread false rumors about the Founder and General Overseer of International God’s Way Church.
“We will not tolerate any negative commentaries on the said video without any attempt to understand the content before,” it said.
Later on Thursday, Bishop Obinim told local radio station Joy FM that the two lived with him and their “sinful act” was revealed to him by God and they confirmed it.
African News
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Nigerian pastor and General Overseer of Omega Fire Ministry, OFM, Apostle Johnson Suleman, has called for a special prayer over a deadly attack he foresaw would ravage a town in Cameroon.
Although the controversial Nigerian "prophet" did not give details of the nature of the attack, such as town/city or date, he urged his members and Cameroonian citizens to pray in order to avert the impending tragedy.
His claims have caused widespread debates amongst Facebook users who question his prophecies.One user on Facebook had this to say;
The success of Pentecostalism is base on simple idea & that is using what is called PSYCH Y OF POSSIBILITIES on gullible people. For instance, where 100 people are gathered, it is 100% possible that some amongst them will attain different levels of success in the nearest future.
But when someone who calls himself a man of God appears in front of u and start telling you that somebody will buy car this month, have a job this week, get married this year, etc. Are all these prophesies or possibilities? all of you will claim it at that moment & if you eventually gets anything in a short moment, you will attribute it to the prophesy of the man of God & he becomes your prophet from that moment & you will start your donations.
Prominent Cameroonian jounalist and blogger Tapang Ivo also shared his view on this trending story.Read below what he had to say.
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A South African pastor died of malnutrition trying to emulate Jesus Christ's 40 days and 40 nights of fasting in the wilderness.
On June 17, Pastor Alfred Ndlovu embarked on a spiritual journey in the wilderness. While he was aiming to fast for 40 days and 40 nights just like Jesus did, the 44-year-old pastor died of malnutrition after going 30 days without food and water,
A stranger discovered Pastor Ndlovu's body in the wilderness and reported the incident to the police. The authorities, in turn, informed the minister's family and congregation about his death.
Pastor Ndlovu's death shocked his family and community. They described him as a healthy and religious man who had a very strong faith.
The incident is reminiscent of the death of the "Jesus of Zimbabwe" last year after he attempted to achieve the same feat that Jesus did. Khulu Reinfirst Manyuka, 73, left his home on June 15, 2015 to direct his attention to prayer and away from earthly things, Tuale Naija reported last year.
Manyuka's date of death was unknown because nobody was with him when he passed away in the wilderness. Police say he is not the only one who died from fasting as they have also received reports about numerous similar cases. Unfortunately, a police spokesperson said they cannot prevent it from happening again because they cannot stop people from fasting.
The New Testament contains several passages referring to Jesus' fasting period in the wilderness after John the Baptist baptized him. According to the passages, the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil three times, Christian Today details.
The Bible says Jesus refused to give in to the Devil's temptations and remained committed to God's will. Moses and Elijah are among the other Biblical figures who fasted and prayed for long periods in the desert.
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A Nigerian commission has found that the army killed 348 people from a minority Shiite Muslim sect last December and has called for the prosecution of those involved.
"The Nigerian army used excessive force," said the judicial inquiry in its report, published Monday. It said troops that took part in the three-day military raid on the northern city of Zaria should be identified "with a view to prosecuting them."
The Nigerian army raided the headquarters of Shiite Muslim leader Ibraheem Zakzaky in December, sparking three days of clashes in the area. One soldier was also killed in the violence. Zakzaky was injured in the raid and has been in detention since then.
The army accused Zakzaky's movement of attempting to kill Nigeria's army chief.
Zakzaky's group was inspired by the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran. The commission report expressed concern that Zakzaky's group may receive support from Iran, as well as Lebanon's militant group Hezbollah.
The inquiry said it received thousands of documents and more than 80 witness testimonies during the course of the investigation.
The majority of Nigeria's Muslims are Sunni and live in the north. The southern part of the country is largely Christian.
Nigeria's new president, Muhammadu Buhari, a former military ruler, has promised to root out human rights violations by soldiers.
VOA
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