Christians reject offer to convert to Islam in D.R. Congo; Up to 60 are killed

 Christians reject offer to convert to Islam in D.R. Congo; Up to 60 are killed

By:  Marshall Ramsey II

04/18/2026

original article: https://www.barnabasaid.org/us/news/up-to-60-christians-killed-in-d-r-congo-after-rejecting-islamic-state-ge/

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of the Congo (D.R.C.) -- As many as 60 Christians were killed by Muslims in the north-eastern D.R.C. on April 1, 2026.

The attack took place in the Christian community of Bafwakoa, in the territory of Mambasa.  An unnamed source with connections to Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL) said the attack came after community members rejected an offer by made IS fighters.  The contact within ISIS stated the Christians were "targeted" after they rejected said offer based on the "just rulings of Islam."

The offer, convert to Islam or pay the jizya and accept dhimmi status, is often given to non-Muslims living in countries ruled by Islam. Some of the victims were killed with machetes and 44 houses were burned.  Two people were abducted.

The offer is similar to that of the Noahide laws of Kabballah Jews.  These state that all non-Jews must convert and practice the laws (supposedly given to Noah after the Flood) or face death by beheading.  Both the dhimmi and Noahide laws are a statement that the practitioner confesses to be a lesser class person than the Muslim or Jew, respectively (if recognized as a person at all).

Since December 2024, more than 900 Christians in north-eastern DRC.  In March in the village of Mushasha, also in Ituri, 17 Christians were killed and about 100 abducted.

(Mention of Jews is not in the original article.)