Senegalese protesters destroy Jehovah's Witness temple

Senegalese youths have destroyed a Jehovah's Witness temple, accusing its followers of spreading alcohol consumption among the population, officials and local media reported Monday. The mostly Muslim protesters set fire to the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God building on Sunday in Yoff, a suburb of the capital Dakar, a police official told AFP. Local media reported the angry youths attacked the temple during a service before turning on bars in the area. The pastor, who sustained head injuries during the attack, said the protesters had made off with a large sum of money, according to private television station Wal Fadjri. There were no reports of other injuries. The protesters accused the church of spreading the use of alcohol and converting youths by giving them money. Senegal's Interior Minister Ousmane Ngom said the acts were unacceptable. "Freedom of religion is guaranteed in Senegal," he told the Senegalese News Agency APS. Religious violence of this sort is rare in the majority Muslim west African country, which is known for its tolerance.