Nigeria: Christian Student Describes How He Ran For His Life
Oct 16 2007
Postings >> Nigeria

A Christian student has been describing how he ran for his life after being accused of drawing the Prophet Mohammed, as riots erupted in Kano State.

What triggered the violence in Tundun Wada over the weekend of September 28-29 is still unclear. But, according to official figures, ten Christians were killed when Muslim rioters took to the streets, torching nine churches and many Christian homes and businesses.

Iliya Adamu, 18, was getting ready for college when Muslim students burst into his dorm and started beating him. They accused him of drawing Mohammed on the mosque -- a blasphemous act in Islam, which prohibits any depiction of the Prophet.

Iliya and other Christians who'd been attacked were taken to hospital by college staff. 'As we were about to be given first aid, we saw some of the Muslim students and other boys coming into the hospital with machetes,' Iliya said. 'We then decided to run for our lives. None of us went home because we saw smoke from the distance and people running.' Confusion reigned in the violence that ensued. As well as rumours that a drawing of Mohammed had been pinned to a mosque, there were suggestions that Muslims were angry that a Christian youth had written 'Jesus' on a blackboard. Others suggest the violence was fuelled by reports of a newspaper cartoon about Mohammed in Bangladesh.

Iliya and another Christian friend, who both deny drawing any image of Mohammed, are now receiving support from The Stephanos Foundation, an RI partner. RI is providing food, blankets and clothing to 121 Christians whose homes were destroyed. The authorities evacuated many other Christians and non-Muslims to Bauchi State: others have fled to neighbouring villages and have neither food nor shelter.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports the actual death toll may be much higher: it accuses the authorities of trying to 'obscure' the truth by sealing off the area immediately afterwards.

• Pray that calm would return to Tundun Wada and that the Kano State government would intervene to prevent further uproar. Pray for all those affected by the violence.
• Pray that the churches which have lost their place of worship will find new premises.