Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel, a social media star and divisive preacher, was stabbed during a live-streamed church service in Sydney on Monday night. The 53-year-old bishop, known for his fiery sermons on a range of topics from the Bible to criticisms of homosexuality, COVID vaccinations, Islam, and U.S. President Joe Biden, has a large following on platforms like TikTok and YouTube.
The attack, carried out by a male teenager during a sermon at the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church, was captured in footage posted online. The assailant criticized Emmanuel’s comments about Islam while being restrained by the congregation. Police have labeled the incident as a terrorist attack motivated by suspected religious extremism.
Despite his controversial views, Emmanuel has also expressed love for the Muslim community and support for Palestinians in Gaza in some of his sermons. His popularity surged during the COVID pandemic as his sermons moved online, attracting a younger audience who prefer to watch him on TikTok.
The violent outrage that followed the attack on Emmanuel, with an angry crowd throwing rocks and bricks at police, reflects fears of religious persecution in the community. Many residents, predominantly Christians from Syria, Iraq, Egypt, and Lebanon, feel a deep sense of persecution and are calling for government intervention to prevent further incidents.
The incident has sparked a debate about freedom of speech, religious tolerance, and the role of social media influencers in shaping public opinion. Emmanuel’s supporters defend him as a misunderstood figure whose words have been taken out of context, while critics argue that his divisive rhetoric incites violence and hatred.