Christian persecution by Muslim extremists in (mainly) northern Nigeria is and has been a serious problem for several years. The main contributors to this issue are the Islamic extremist and Muslim purist organization, Boko Haram. According to Religion Today, over 3000 people have been killed since Boko Haram began it’s insurgency. Murders and jihads are a regular occurrence in Nigeria, with new reports seemingly coming out every day of another terrorist attack or mass shooting. With government being unsupportive of Christians and the constant persecution by extremists, the outlook has seemed bleak for a very long time, but quite recently the announcement of NASOC (Nigerian Army Special Operations Command) things could be starting to look up for the persecuted.
Although Boko Haram is the most associated group with Christian persecution in Nigeria, Christians face many other threats as well. The government denies them basic facilities such as wells, schools, and of course, does not provide labor or funds for the building of churches. Apart from the government, there have also been emerging signs that al-Qaeda may have ties with Boko Haram. Before late 2013, Goodluck Jonathan had addressed concerns that the United States of America labeling Boko Haram a Foreign Terrorist Organization would draw more attention to them, possibly drawing support from other Muslim extremist groups. In light of the links between al-Qaeda and Boko Haram, Goodluck Jonathan announced the Nigerian
The Boko Haram sect in Nigeria has been a huge problem for the country in the past, and the threat is only growing. This group is considered responsible for a handful of government attacks, targets on the United Nations, and often churches who undermine the Islamic religion. Their actions have spawned from the idea that their country is controlled by “fake Muslims”, and aim to create an Islamic nation ruled with Sharia law.
Boko Haram are motivated by a Jihadist version of Islam and is believed to be believers of the one true interpretation of the (Brinkel & Ait-Hida, 2012, p. 16). Their ultimate goal to create a true Islamic state in Nigeria directly associated with Sharia law. (Chothia, 2015, p. 5). The group has maintained their secrecy and the authorities have yet to be captured by law enforcement. Boko Haram is seen to have many basic views including their religious motivations, political downfall, and their extreme actions taken on the people of Nigeria. Boko
The concepts of order, hierarchy, and religion are the most important components of the Igbo society. These concepts are so profoundly entrenched in society that their alteration could result in chaos. The introduction of a new religion as a result of Westernization serves as a catalyst for destructive cultural change, which ultimately results in contrasting cultural traditions that compromise existing core values. In Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe describes the impact Christianity has on the Igbo society, that causes the modification of its native traditions.
This article is about the mistreatment of people fleeing from Boko Haram who thought that the Nigerian soldiers would save them. As hundreds flee from Boko Haram claimed territories, Nigerian soldiers are picking them up and holding them as prisoners in detention centers, claiming to be trying to protect others from extremist claiming to be victims. This has lead to some accusations of mistreatment because these detention centers are holding men, women, and infants for months on end in unsanitary and unsafe areas. The article then explains that the Nigerian government and army are being accused of being too extreme in its persistence and ways of trying to eliminate Boko Haram. While Nigeria is struggling to handle the threat that is Boko Haram,
The article, “Boko Haram and Mass Starvation” discusses about a current crisis happening in Northern Africa in the Sahel region suffering from starvation due to raids conducted by the Boko Haram. Recent coalition efforts from the Nigerian army and coalition forces removed major supply lines to the Boko Haram forcing fighters to raid and ransack villages to appease their hunger. The people living in Northern Nigeria with no established supply lines face an imminent threat of mass starvation due to the threats and instability in the surround area. I agree the point the writer is establishing by creating safe, secure farming sectors across the region to feed thousands of starving people and the current top priority of distributing emergency aid
Boko Haram have been known to switch their attack tactics due to Nigerian security forces catching up on them. To begin with, from 2009 to 2014 most attacks carried out by Boko Haram were by armed assaults, which resulted in 63% of the deaths that year (Pricopi,2016). Not only did Boko Haram conduct attacks using armed assaults but they also used bombs as well. In fact, bombing tactics in 2013 were used in 35 incidents; however, that number increased by three times in 2014, making it used in 107 incidents(Pricopi,2016). Also, in that same year the number of civilians attacked in public places also increased as well. Suicide attacks, were also another tactic used by Boko Haram and in 2014, they accounted for atleast 31 of those attacks
Both of these events that occurred in human history caused seriously traumatic impact to the citizens, who were surrounded by all the destruction, devastation, and mayhem that resulted from it. In similar cases like these, violence is clearly not the answer. The reason being because so many innocent people get hurt and they are mostly the people who would never cause any harm in the first place. In the situation of Boko Haram and his beliefs, he wanted a nation that was entirely Islam and any country or person who was against it was his enemy, which resulted in most of the Nigerian population being eliminated from existence. In relation is the Holocaust, which had Germans disliking Jews because they were seen as “inferior” towards the Germans
Nero was the fifth and final Roman Emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. His full name was Lucius Domitius Ahenobarbus, but when he was adopted by his great uncle Claudius and became his heir to be the next Roman Emperor hi name changed to Nero Claudius Ceasar Augustus Germanicus. He succeeded to the throne on 13 October, 54, after Claudius’s death. “During his rule from 54 to 68 Nero focused much of his attention on diplomacy, trade, and increasing cultural-capital of the empire.” His rule as Emperor was often associated with tyranny and extravagance. He was obsessed with retaining his title as Emperor, and would not hesitate to execute or ruthlessly kill anyone who he saw as a threat or opposition against him. He stamped out all
Over the last 13 years, since the attacks against the Pentagon and the World Trade Center on September 11th, 2001 the world has been exposed to the global threat of extremist ideologies. Service men and women have had a firsthand view of the breeding grounds and environments such ideologies are harbored and developed. With the drawdown of the war in Afghanistan, the global war on terrorism will not end. Instead the focus will shift to other dangerous parts of the world where extremists have already become established; places like Somalia in the Horn of Africa. The weak government in Somalia has fostered an environment conducive to the development of extremist ideologies. This is evident
Throughout the first four centuries, Christianity began to plant its roots and establish itself as a legitimate religious presence. However, just as the Christians battled other religious presences over what are correct teachings and practices, they also were prompted by the Roman Empire to conform or face consequences. These consequences came in the form of a series of persecutions, which in turn, triggered different responses from the Christians.
“Do the reports of abuse by Nigerian military forces constrain further U.S. assistance to security forces in their operations against Boko Haram?”
Christians are being persecuted for their faith in more than the forty nations around world today. In some nations, it is illegal to own a Bible, to share one’s faith in Christ, and even teach one’s children about Jesus Christ. Those who boldly follow Christ, in spite of government decree or opposition, can face harassment, arrest, torture and even death. Dr. Nhia Vang Vang, the pastor of the First Hmong Alliance Church in Longview, NC, mentioned that Christianity has been persecuted for over 2000 years up until now. However, more Christians have been arrested, harassed, and persecuted in this century than in the previous nineteen combined (Vang). Christian persecution is a world-wide problem, having an effect
To understand Roman persecution of Christians, we must first understand the setting and context for which it was in. Romans ruled when Jesus was crucified. The
In Christianity today it states that Christians face religious persecutions in more countries than any other religious group, according to the recent study by Pew Research Center. These persecutions have resulted in a decline of the Christian population in the Middle East according to the New York Times. The New York Times also states that in Iraq, less than half a million Christians are left since many of them have been targeted by extremist for more than a decade. The problem became worse with the rise of the Islamic State as it intensified the Muslim persecution of Christians as a part of its campaign of terror in the region. Anna Eshoo, a California Democrat in the US House of Representatives and an advocate of Eastern Christians, states
Christianity is a way of living among certain individuals’ today. This religion expounds upon the fact of a person’s love and the convictions which they contain through Jesus. In Ancient Rome, Christians were persecuted for their convictions in a tangible Christ. Followers of Jesus underwent various ways of death. Furthermore, numerous disciples of Jesus were assassinated for the cause of Christ by emperors’ prejudice and commands. These events took place through A.D. 30 to A.D. 311 (Galli, Mark).