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Muslim mob attacks Christians in Kano State, Nigeria

Christians in Kano State, Nigeria are still unnerved after a Muslim mob attack on Sunday, reports MNN.

A report from Compass Direct News says hundreds of Muslims went on a rampage burning Christian shops and vehicles on claims that a Christian had blasphemed the Islamic prophet Mohammed. Thousands of Christians were trapped in churches until police dispersed rioters.

Voice of the Martyrs' Todd Nettleton explains, "There has been tension in Kano, and across Northern Nigeria between Muslims and Christians. So, just hearsay that Mohammed had been blasphemed against was enough to stir people to violence."

Police intervened when Muslims at a market in the Sabon Garia area of the city reportedly attacked the Christian who was blamed for sparking the incident.

The Compass report went on to say that the Muslim mob went to the police station, threatening to burn it down unless officers released the Christian to be stoned to death in accordance with Sharia law. Police were able to disperse the mob.

Although the violence and the riots haven't seen many headlines as of late, that doesn't mean the sectarian troubles have disappeared. In fact, Nettleton says, the the push to implement Sharia law in the region may be inflaming the attacks.

With jittery nerves, Christians, particularly those involved in outreach, are laying low. Nettleton says, "It is dangerous to be a Christian in northern Nigeria, particularly if you're involved in outreach. Hundreds of Christians have now gone to the police station, they've gone to the military bases saying, 'we believe this attack is not over, we believe there will be more violence. Protect us from that!'"

[04/26/2008]

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