_WORLD WATCH______________________________
________________Nigeria_______________
Religious violence renewed
Christians leaving embattled region
Fighting between Muslims and Christians in the north-central Nigerian city of
Jos flared up in September, and the Red Cross estimated that 165 people had been
killed during several days of fighting. Residents of Jos reported that the death
toll was probably much higher than that official estimate, and that thousands of
families had fled from their homes. Many churches and mosques, as well as homes
and shops, were reportedly destroyed in the fighting.
Tension between Christians—who dominate in the south—and Muslims—who are the majority in the north—rose last year when some northern states contemplated implementing the Islamic Sharia law. Hundreds of people died in those riots.
Jos is a predominantly Christian city with a large Muslim minority and has long been a base for Christian missionary efforts. But after a full week of violence in September, Christian families began to flee from Jos in droves. “We are running away for the fear of the unknown,” said a man who gave his name only as Ndubuisi. Pointing out that several attacks on Christian neighborhoods had been carried out immediately after the local Islamic community gathered for worship services, he said: “We want to leave before prayers—we don’t want to take any chance at all.”
On September 23, Nigeria’s Catholic bishops issued a statement warning the country’s government that the implementation of Sharia law would lead to widespread disruptions and discontent. The bishops expressed their concern that “the various arms of government, both at the federal and state levels, have remained indifferent to this problem, which could bring disastrous consequences on our nation.” They warned that the issue was not likely to fade away without a resolution.
“We have repeatedly warned that the adoption of the Sharia as a state law, and the extension of its scope, are a flagrant violation of the human rights of non-Muslims in a multi-religious society and a secular state like Nigeria,” the Catholic bishops said.
Back to Catholic World Report November 2001 Table of Contents