Three evangelical churches have been burned down in an area of northwest Tanzania where Islamist extremists have been making threats against Christian communities.

The devastated churches were Living Water International, Pentecostal Assemblies of God and Evangelical Assemblies of God, all in Kashfa in the Bukoba district. All three counted worshippers into the hundreds.

Vedasto Athanas of Living Water told Morning Star News that Christians are increasingly worried and frightened.

Tanzania is at number 33 on the Open Doors list of countries where persecution of Christians is most severe.

Athanas said: "What is worrying us is that the burning of the three churches happened within a span of two hours. What is even more worrying is that we have been receiving threats from Muslim extremists that they want churches reduced in this area.

"We have lost everything in our churches – the buildings, the chairs and musical instruments. Our members have nowhere to worship."

One point of contention is over rules surrounding animal slaughter. Extremists in the area object to Christians slaughtering animals because they believe this is forbidden for non-Muslims.  

Muslims make up about a third of Tanzania's population and Christians a little over half.