Photo by citizen journalism portal Sahara Reporters, via globalvoicesonline.org

Government: Nigeria crisis looks religious, not political

Government officials in Nigeria are looking at the riots in Jos differently now, the second deadly uprising in two years, reports MNN.

Compass Direct News sources indicated the violence last month may have been sparked by Muslim youths disrupting a worship service at St. Michael's Catholic Church in the nearby city of Nasarawa Gwong.

Muslims then continued attacks in the area, burning the buildings of the Christ Apostolic Church, Assemblies of God Church, three branches of the Church of Christ in Nigeria and two buildings of the Evangelical Church of West Africa.

By the time a semblance of order was restored three days later, more than 300 were dead. The government appointed a 15-member panel to find ways of ending recurring clashes between Christians and Muslims.

According to a statement released by the government, the team includes members of both religious groups, as well as politicians, former army generals and women's rights activists. The country is divided between a predominantly-Muslim north and a largely-Christian south.

Greg Musselman with Voice of the Martyrs Canada says it's a step in the right direction. "At least the government now is recognizing that this is more than just a political side of it--this is really a problem with the more militant Islamists attacking Christians."

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TAGS: Nigeria Jos violence St. Michael's Catholic Church persecution Voice of the Martyrs Canada Islamists attacking Christians

[02/04/2010]

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