Questions Follow Acid Attack on British Women in Zanzibar

THE NEW YORK TIMES
By Katrin Bennhold

ZANZIBAR---Conservative Muslims and Western visitors have long coexisted peacefully on Zanzibar. But in recent months, there have been several violent episodes with religious overtones, mostly targeting Christians. In February, a Roman Catholic priest was shot to death, and a church was burned. Last year, another priest was shot and wounded, and several churches were burned, Mr. Musa said. “It’s a very sensitive issue,” he said. In an episode last November, a moderate Muslim cleric was hurt in an acid attack. So when the volunteers, Kirstie Trup and Katie Gee, both 18, strolled into Stone Town to get dinner last Wednesday, those who know them said they covered up despite the heat. The two men who rode up behind them on a moped gave no reason for targeting them — the men stopped, smiled and then doused the young women in acid, severely burning their faces, chests and hands, before speeding away. [link]