Kumba: Pastor, radio host, detained by Muslim administrator over religious views

A Pastor by name, Alain Favour is being held in police detention in the South West Regional Town of Kumba.

Pastor Alain was arrested and taken to the Kumba Town Police station, at the behest of the Divisional Officer (DO) for Kumba I, MMI gathered.

He was arrested, after some Muslim faithful reached out to the D.O who is one of theirs, to complain about the preacher’s words.

According to one of the radio programmes the pastor can be heard drawing from the Holy Qur’an to argue that Abraham was not a Muslim:

“Mohammed is the first messenger that came from God… he is the first prophet… the first Muslim”.

This the pastor goes on to argue, confirms that Abraham who came before the Prophet Mohammed, cannot be a Muslim and he cannot be a messenger sent from Allah.

The preacher goes on to call on those who have contrary views to dial into the programme and challenge him.

They were reportedly mad at his teachings on the programme ‘The Hour of Truth’, broadcast on Ocean City Radio.

In addition to the arrest and detention, the said program was also suspended by the D.O, much to the displeasure of its listeners.

According to sources close to the Pastor, the DO justified his actions by saying that this was to protect the preacher from being lynched by the public, as his views were considered blasphemous and this could attract severe recriminations from the Muslim population.

Many say the official’s decision is unfair, given that the Muslim faithful run a similar program and share similar views about the Christian faith. To them, reproaching both parties or suspending both programs would be ideal.

Critics have stated that the action of the DO curtails the freedom of expression and amounts to press censorship.

Mimi Mefo Info