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Muslims destroy two churches in northern Nigeria
by Scott Gilbreath ~ November 21st, 2008
Muslims are harassing Christians again in Bauchi, one of twelve Muslim-majority states in Nigeria that have adopted sharia law. Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that two churches have recently been destroyed. Tension is running so high that state troops had to be placed on guard around a church construction site.
Reports indicate that local Muslims dismantled the foundation stones of a new church belonging to the Church of Christ in Nigeria (COCIN) in Sabon Kaura on Sunday, 16 November. Bauchi’s Military Commandant, Commissioner of Police and Deputy Governor visited the area on Monday, 17 November to investigate further and a guard was placed around the facility. However, despite the presence of these troops, an Anglican church two kilometres away was then burnt down on Tuesday evening, 18 November.
CSW also outlines ongoing persecution of Christians in Katsina state.
In the Sabon Ungwa area of Katsina Town in Katsina State, a Pentecostal pastor and his congregation are frequently attacked; stones are hurled at the building during the Sunday service, cars are scratched and tyres flattened. On one occasion the pastor sustained a leg injury after being attacked by local youths. A Catholic congregation in the Kankara area of Katsina has also been prevented from completing its church building since 1986, while another church was destroyed there earlier this year without compensation. A charismatic church in Mani, Katsina State, was ordered to cease construction of their new facility, which was then completed by local authorities and turned into a library. In addition, sources report the Kano State House of Assembly has allegedly billed a legal provision forbidding the use of land for the construction of churches, even if the land in question belongs to a Christian.
A 50-year-old Roman Catholic church in Gwoza, Borno state, was required to construct a new gate to its property after an Islamic school was built blocking the original entrance.
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November 23rd, 2008 at 01:24 PM
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