A group of Muslims in Kenya protected a group of Christians from a terrorist attack by Al-Shabaab, warning them to flee before the attack came:

CHRISTIAN POST – A group of Muslims thwarted a terrorist attack planned against Christians in Northern Kenya, saving nearly two dozen believers from death, a persecution watchdog has revealed.

According to International Christian Concern, the Islamic extremist group Al-Shabaab had planned to storm a construction site for a new hospital in Kutulo, Kenya and kill any Christian workers they found there.

When some of the local Muslim population heard of the impending attack, they rushed to the area to tell all Christians to evacuate. They then waited for the gunmen to arrive and confronted them.

While the Muslims were unable to prevent the gunmen from opening fire on the construction site, more than 20 Christians were nevertheless able to flee the site and escape without injuries.

“They confronted the gunmen who proceeded to the site and failed to get what they wanted. [The attackers] opened fire but no one was injured before they escaped,” north-eastern regional commissioner Mohamed Birik told media, according to Premier UK.

Kutulo, located in Mandera County, Kenya, is a highly dangerous place for Christians to live and work due to the high concentration of Somalis and Muslims that live in the region. ICC notes that Christians are an “easy target” for terrorist groups like al-Shabaab, as they are easily identifiable.

In light of this reality, ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa, Nathan Johnson, told The Christian Post the Muslim’s decision to protect Christians is of “immense importance.”

“First, it shows that those of different faiths can come together and protect each other,” he said. “You will find that, most often, those who are most able to defend people against extremist groups, are those of the same faith as the extremist group. When locals know what is happening or receive warning when attacks like this are coming, it takes brave men like these to stop them.”

The story also provides the chance for groups like ICC to “laud the heroism of those of other faiths,” Johnson continued.