Photo via wikimedia.org

'Resurgence of evil' in Africa, global attention elsewhere

Last month, Islamic militants were responsible for at least 600 deaths, intensifying the persecution in Nigeria. But this failed to cause a blip of awareness on the global radar, reports MNN.

"It's almost like a resurgence of evil that's swept across the northern part of Nigeria," describes Eric Fellman of the World Bible Translation Center. "The violence is increasing, and it's essentially a large movement of radical Muslims against any Christian institution, Christian family, or Christian-owned business."

An outbreak of violence yesterday added 20 more to the death toll, including a pastor. Homes, churches, and businesses were all burnt in the attack. The lack of global attention to this situation shocks Fellman.

"It's just unbelievable how vociferous, how violent this has become with so little recognition by the world community," he says.

All denominations have experienced killings and destruction, according to WBTC. One 13-year-old girl was attending church when Islamic radicals broke in. She hid with the pastor as radicals killed the pastor's brother and dragged her mother away. When the militants discovered the girl and her pastor, they cut off the pastor's hand to stop him from holding her. In front of the young girl, radicals then hacked the pastor to death with machetes and set his body aflame.

WBTC is providing "spiritual armor" for believers by replacing Bibles lost in these violent attacks. Fellman estimates that approximately 10 percent of Bibles in Nigeria will be obliterated in this time of persecution. Working through Nigeria's Anglican Church and Oasis International, WBTC hopes to replace over 50,000 of these destroyed Scriptures.

"When churches are burned and homes are raided, Bibles are lost," Fellman says. "There's no single tool more important to the health of the church body than the Scriptures."

Boko Haram, translated "Western education is evil," is the radical Islamic group responsible for these attacks. Although they use their namesake as an excuse for striking believers, Fellman believes there's a deeper reason.

"On a broader spiritual basis," he explains, "I would have to say that this is an incredible attack of the enemy on one of the most vibrant believing communities on the planet."

SALE! 40% OFF! How to Be Happier 7 Days a Week

TAGS: Nigeria Islamic militants persecution World Bible Translation Center anti-Christian violence

[09/24/2009]

Print Version