70 Churches Destroyed in 'Anti-Charlie Hebdo' Protests
A scene of destruction at Celpa Church in Niamey, Niger. (World Watch Monitor)
The Christian community in Niger says it is in shock in the wake of weekend violence that has claimed the lives of 10 people and led to the destruction of dozens of places of worship and Christian homes.
The protest, which started in the country's second city, Zinder, on Friday, Jan. 16, quickly spread to surrounding areas before reaching the capital Niamey on Saturday.
Ten people have died, and 45 churches burned down in the two days of violence, the police say. But information gathered by World Watch Monitor revealed that more than 70 churches have been destroyed, along with numerous Christian schools and organizations, including an orphanage "The Good Samaritan'' run by the Assembly of God Church. The 40 children of the orphanage are currently in ''disarray'' under the care of police.
Over 30 Christian homes were believed to be looted and burnt down. Those affected say the violence has left them with "only the clothes on our backs."
Pastor Zakaria Jadi, whose church was among the destroyed buildings, told the BBC he was meeting with the elders when he heard about the attacks.
"I just rushed and told my colleagues in the church to take their families away from the place. I took my family out from the place ... When I came back, I just discovered that everything has gone. There's nothing in my house and also nothing in the church."
The violence sent some 300 Christians (out of 700 in the city) out taking refuge in army barracks. Some of them have started to get back into their homes, local sources told World Watch Monitor.
"This is the greatest loss the church in Niger has suffered in recent history. These attacks will have long-term effects on the small community of believers. A large number of local Christian families have lost everything they have labored for their entire lives. The attacks have also caused considerable fear among the believers. Our brothers and sisters in Niger are in dire need of our prayer as they respond to this challenge," commented a worker for Open Doors International, a charity which partners with churches under pressure.
Spreading
The tension quickly spread to other towns in the Zinder region.
"In Gouré the town's only church is on fire," a witness reported as the situation unfolded. All Christian homes were burned and all the believers were taken into the military barracks for protection. In Tanout, the protesters burned down two evangelical churches, while in Magaria they destroyed one church.
In Maradi, another of Niger's main towns, close to the Nigeria border, two evangelical churches were eventually burned down, while a small Fulani church in Bermo village (200 km from Maradi, in the north) was attacked and burned down. Local sources have told World Watch Monitor that the prompt reactions of security forces helped to limit the destruction.
In Birnin Gaouré, about 100 km from the capital Niamey, three churches were set on fire and a missionary school was attacked.
In the far north town of Agadez, "there was an unsuccessful attempt on the church."
By Sunday the violence spread to the capital Niamey, as a large crowd of about 1,000 Muslims convened outside the main mosque, before marching across the streets of the city. The angry crowd, reported to be guided by youths in cars and motorbikes, then set several public buildings and properties on fire: among them, the headquarters of the ruling party, several bars, a brothel and a beer factory.
Security forces fired tear gas in an attempt to restore order, but the rioters were out of control. In small groups the protesters then attacked Christians across the capital.
"In two hours most of the 'work' was done," reported an Open Doors' worker. "The guides knew exactly where to find the target of the attacks, and after the attacks they checked if it was indeed destroyed.''
Religious tensions are escalating once again in Niger, days after Islamic protesters torched at least 45 churches and Christian homes.
Now come reports that men are going around on motorcycles, marking Christian homes in the capital city of Niamey.
Christians are fearful that Muslim radicals are planning to finish what they started after the devastating riots over the weekend. They're asking for prayer for God's protection.
Reports from the region indicate that at least 10 people were killed in those riots after being trapped inside burning churches.
The violence has been fueled by Islamic anger over the French Charlie Hebdo magazine that posted another cartoon of Mohammed.
CBN is sending financial assistance to help meet the urgent needs of numerous suffering Christians who became homeless because of the violence.
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Topic: 70 Churches Destroyed in ’Anti-Charlie Hebdo’ Protests
