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Nigerian Christians and Muslims pray for peace on anniversary of riots
2002-216-4
9/18/2002
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[Episcopal News Service]
On the anniversary of bloody religious conflicts between Christians and Muslims in the central Nigerian state of Plateau, a week-long program of prayer and fasting brought together people from both religions. The riots left more than 5,000 people dead, destroyed about 100 villages and forced 500,000 to flee their homes.
At Christ Church Cathedral, in the capital city of Jos, Governor Joshua Dariye assured residents that the government was doing everything possible to bring an end to the hardships resulting from the conflict. 'We shall come out of this crisis stronger and more united,' he said. He appealed for a return of those who had fled, asking them to 'join us in rebuilding our state.' He urged people to 'remain prayerful, to rely on God for a solution to this conflict.'
Christians account for about 80 percent of the state's population, with Muslims the other 20 percent. Violence was spurred when some state governments in northern Nigeria introduced strict Islamic law, calling for punishments such as stoning, amputations and floggings for some offenses. The religious legal code has been implemented in 12 states where many violent clashes have been reported. Religious leaders recently convened an inter-religious peace summit to discuss ways to promote peaceful coexistence.
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