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Christians in northern Nigeria face growing hostility
2002-041-4
2/13/2002
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[Episcopal News Service]
Christians in northern Nigeria, which is overwhelmingly Muslim, are facing increased hostility, including the possible demolition of churches and the dissolution of non-Islamic courts, according to a release from the Barnabas Fund, a British-based organization that monitors persecution of Christians around the world.
Local authorities in the state of Zamfara are reportedly threatening to demolish 14 churches to prevent the growth of Christianity and its governor has suggested that he might abolish magistrates courts, leaving on the Islamic courts to function.
Zamfara was the first of a dozen Nigerian states to introduce full Islamic Shari'ah law in January 2000, but the move was intended to affect only Muslims. Christians fear that Muslims now intend the law to apply to everyone.
Authorities in the states of Kano and Jigawa, also with Muslim majorities, deployed police and soldiers because of fear of reprisals against Christians in the wake of recent riots in Lagos in southern Nigeria. Revenge attacks are common against minority groups in the country. Christian Yorubas in Kano, for example, live in fear that last October's violence against them will be repeated. Over 200 were killed when Muslims demonstrated in support of Osama bin Laden, causing Yoruba Christians to flee for their lives.
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