Terrorist group al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula has killed an American accused of preaching Christianity in Yemen, according to text messages sent out by the group.
The American, 30-year-old Joel Shrum, was killed in the Yemeni province of Taiz on Sunday. Shrum, from Pennsylvania, was fatally shot by two gunmen on a motorcycle, according to defense ministry officials.
Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula sent out a text message to journalists in the country claiming responsibility for the attack. The group said Shrum was killed for serving as a “senior missionary” in Taiz – working to spread Christianity to the Yemeni people.
The Yemeni constitution mentions religious liberty but proselytizing is illegal and it is against the law for Muslims to convert to Christianity, according to Christian persecution group, The Voice of Martyrs.
Christianity exists as a minority religion in the country with an estimated 4,000 Catholics believed to live in Yemen. Christian missions from several countries have an active presence in Yemen.
The International Training Development Center where Shrum was employed, which is a government-affiliated NGO, has denied the terrorist networks claims that Shrum was working as a Christian missionary.
