A European family of Jehovah’s Witnesses had studied the Bible with several neighbors who were Tutsi. Nine of these neighbors took refuge in the home of the Europeans as crazed killers went from house to house. Within minutes, some 40 looters were in the house, smashing things and overturning furniture. Sadly, the Tutsi neighbors were killed. However, the others, despite their efforts to save their friends, were allowed to escape with their lives.

They Tried to Help One Another

Two of the six who worked in the Translation Office of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kigali were Tutsi​—Ananie Mbanda and Mukagisagara Denise. The efforts of the Hutu brothers to protect them were successful for a few weeks. Toward the end of May 1994, though, these two Tutsi Witnesses were killed.

At the risk, and even sacrifice, of their own lives, Jehovah’s Witnesses sought to protect fellow Christians of a different ethnic background. (John 13:34, 35; 15:13) For example, Mukabalisa Chantal is a Tutsi. When Rwandan Patriotic Front members were searching for Hutu in the stadium where she was staying, she intervened in behalf of her Hutu friends. Although the rebels were annoyed by her efforts, one exclaimed: “You Jehovah’s Witnesses really do have a solid brotherhood. Your religion is the best there is!”

Keeping Free From Ethnic Hatred

That is not to say that Jehovah’s Witnesses are totally immune to the ethnic hatreds that have existed for hundreds of years in this area of Africa. A Witness from France who was sharing in relief work noted: “Even our Christian brothers must put forth great effort to avoid being contaminated by the hatred, which has contributed to massacres that are impossible to describe.

“We met brothers who saw their families massacred before their eyes. For example, a Christian sister had been married just two days when her husband was killed. Some Witnesses saw their children and parents killed. One sister, who is now in Uganda, saw her whole family slaughtered, including her husband. This simply highlights the suffering, both emotional and physical, that has touched each family of Jehovah’s Witnesses.”

Altogether, about 400 Witnesses were killed in the ethnic violence. Yet none of these died at the hands of fellow Witnesses.