Muslim-Christian Conflicts Tear Apart Marriages

Summary:
The terrible atrocities being committed in the Central African Republic are tearing communities, families, and even marriages apart. Marriages between Christians and Muslims are being threatened due to the intense animosity between the two sides. Christian militias are killing Muslims and those married to Muslims, even if they are Christians themselves.

Former Christians who converted to Islam are being warned that if they don't convert back to Christianity, they will be killed, and the Christian vigilantes are following up on their threats. Children and adults alike are being hacked to death, shot, burned, and beaten, and their houses and possessions are being looted and torched.

The current brutality follows events from a year ago when Muslim group which gained power in the predominately Christian country, and was blamed with committing numerous atrocities. Christians fought back and regained power, and have thrown the Muslim out of the CAR and attacked and killed the rest. Husbands and wives of different faiths, who used to be warmly welcomed into the other's family, are separating--the Christian partner often staying behind where it is safe, and the Muslim partner escaping to a surrounding country like Chad. Emotions are high because partners must choose between their home and possessions and being with their spouse. If a couple separates, they will likely never see each other again. One Christian woman stayed behind to watch her house, and her Muslim husband pleaded,  "Our life together or the house: Which is more important?"

Analysis:
Muslim-Christian marriages are not uncommon in the CAR, because tribal identity has historically been much more important than national or religious identity. But with the past fighting between the Muslims and Christians, religion has become a major issue. Suspicions, anger, and the desire for revenge fuel terrible attacks on what used to be peaceful, neighborly communities. Extreme Christians hate to see their own associating with the "other" side, and threaten death to those who don't convert back. This is an excellent example of violence used to coerce others and achieve a desired result. Of course, the result will only be weakly realized when this type of violence is used, because it will never lead to the stability that peace requires. For some reason I have not seen a great deal about outside governments coming in to restore order. Unfortunately other countries often like to take a hands-off approach to foreign fights (unless it directly threatens something of theirs), even if there are flagrant, widespread violations of human rights, as in the CAR.
 
Source:
http://www.todayszaman.com/news-342560-conflict-in-central-african-republic-destroying-muslim-christian-marriages.html