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Boko Haram’s Rise in Nigeria Sparks Civil War Fears
Friday’s deadly bomb attacks in Nigeria’s second largest city, Kano, are the latest in a series of spectacular strikes by the radical Islamist sect Boko Haram. The coordinated series of assaults on police stations and other government offices killed at least 200 people. The rise of Boko Haram is sparking concerns that Africa’s most populous country may be edging closer to civil war.
Nigeria’s Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka predicted it; political analysts are regularly asked about it; and the Kano attacks prompted the Leadership newspaper to run as its weekend edition headline, “Finally, Boko Haram Launches War.”
The radical Islamist Boko Haram has made headlines with increasing frequency lately for a series of audacious terrorist strikes. Among them, a Christmas Day bomb blast that Read more…
Religious violence, abuse growing: world study
WASHINGTON — Religious-linked violence and abuse rose around the world between 2006 and 2009, with Christians and Muslims the most common targets, according to a private US study released Tuesday.
“Over the three-year period studied, incidents of either government or social harassment were reported against Christians in 130 countries (66 percent) and against Muslims in 117 countries (59 percent),” said the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion and Public Life study.
In 2009, governments in 101 nations, more than half the globe, used at least some measure of force against religious groups. A year earlier only 91 nations had done so, the report said.
As of 2009, more than 2.2 billion people, or nearly a third of the world’s population of 6.9 billion, lived in countries where religious restrictions had risen substantially since Read more…
Nigeria imposes curfew on Abuja nightclubs and pubs
The police HQ attack was an embarrassing strike at the very heart of the security establishmentThe Nigerian authorities have imposed a curfew on nightclubs, beer parlours and cinemas in Abuja two weeks after a major bomb attack on the capital city.
These establishments must now close by 2200 local time (2100 GMT) and public parks that admit children should close at 1800 local time.
Eight people died in the recent attack on the police headquarters carried out by the Islamist sect Boko Haram.
It is also accused of Sunday’s attack on a beer garden in Maiduguri.
The group, which usually targets the north-eastern state of Borno, around Maiduguri, says it is fighting for Islamic rule, and campaigns against all political and social activity associated with the West.
Abuja city’s administration said it has also banned parking of vehicles on two roads where most government offices are located.
“These measures are necessitated by the need to ensure adequate security Read more…
Egypt and Tunisia: risk of civil war
The deadly clashes between Muslims and Christians in Cairo, in Egypt and unrest in Tunis region, spark fears of renewed sectarian violence in Egypt, and insecurity in Tunisia. In Egypt, a religious leader warns against a “civil war”, while police is accused of inaction.
- The Egyptian government has promised to use all available legislative arsenals to prevent further clashes after those in the neighbourhood of Imbaba Saturday night having made 12 dead and 232 wounded.
- On Monday, the press was concerned about an expansion of violence: “The fire of religious fanaticism threatens Egypt,” headlined the daily Al-Ahram, while the independent Al-Masri al-Yom emphasized: “extremism burns the revolution.”
- Newspapers and the power blamed the “cons-revolutionaries” and “extremists” for the violence orchestrated by these followers of former President Hosni Mubarak ousted Feb. 11 by a popular revolt. The army has provided since the country’s leadership.
- Quoted by Al-Masri al-Yom, Mufti Ali Gomaa, one of the highest Muslim authorities in Egypt, has warned against “a possible Read more…
Nigeria Christians Concerned Amid New Deadly Clashes
ABUJA, NIGERIA (Worthy News)– Tensions remained high in Nigeria’s Plateau State Wednesday, February 16, where up to eight people were killed and more injured in sectarian clashes sparked by the stabbing of a police officer.
Witnesses said Tuesday’s violence in the city of Jos included a gang setting up a roadblock in one neighborhood, leading to up to four deaths. Others, including Christians, said up to four more people were murdered and their bodies set ablaze elsewhere, including in the Gada-Biu area.
There were also reports that tires, cars and motorcycles were burned as well.
Christians said the violence began after the police officer was stabbed to death when he Read more…
Iran Escalates Attacks on Christians
Joseph DeCaro
TEHRAN, Iran (Worthy News)– Last Christmas, the Iranian government began arresting Christians, raiding and ransacking their homes as they are taken to prison and interrogation.
Since December 26, anywhere from 100 to 600 Christians, often converts from Islam, have been detained without charge and without access to lawyers or family members for what the governor general of Tehran Province claims is their “corrupting” influence on society.
Along with Christians, other Iranian religious minorities — Zoroastrians, Sufis and Sh’ia — have also come under closer government scrutiny.
Reportedly, Iran’s religious minorities are increasing in large numbers because many of its Muslims will no longer tolerate their government’s intolerable version of Islam.
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