Gaza Christians express unease after killing of prominent Christian

Published: 2007-10-11

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- Christians in the Gaza Strip expressed unease after a prominent Christian businessman was killed by what many believe to be an extremist Islamic group. Costa Dabbagh, executive director of the Middle East Council of Churches, said the killing had "a bit of a psychological effect" on the Christian community, but details of the murder have yet to be determined. "It could have been a normal crime, but because he is Christian it has taken on a different meaning," Dabbagh said in mid-October. Rami Ayyad, 30, a member of the Gaza Baptist Church and director of the Palestinian Holy Bible Society, was abducted near his home, then killed Oct. 6. No one has claimed responsibility for his murder. Church leaders condemned the killing with deep sorrow. "This tragic incident is the first of its kind," they said in a statement issued by the Jerusalem Inter-Church Center Oct. 9.

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