Release International

The Pope has announced he is to go ahead with his visit to Turkey, despite the violent backlash following his comment that Islam spread faith ‘by the sword’. The attacks against Christians in several countries that followed the Pope’s remarks are highlighted in the latest edition of World Update on the Persecuted Church - the video webcast by Release International.           

The Pope's concern over violence in the name of Islam sparked off attacks against Christians in Asia and the Middle East. Gunmen murdered a nun in Somalia and militants attacked churches in the Palestinian territories and Iraq. In India, protestors burnt an effigy of the Pope and there were angry demonstrations in Kashmir, Indonesia, Iran and Egypt. In Pakistan armed police had to be called out to guard churches.

The violence broke out after the Pope gave a speech exploring the relationship between Islam and Christianity. Pope Benedict XVI quoted a 14th century Byzantine emperor who accused Mohammed of spreading ‘by the sword the faith he preached’.

Several Muslim commentators regretted the angry scenes that followed and said they simply seemed to prove the Pope’s point. Pope Benedict went on to call for believers of all religions to propagate their faith ‘without violence and threats’.

Once again it was Nigeria that bore the brunt of the backlash against Christians. Earlier this year in protest against the so-called Mohammed cartoons militants burnt churches and targeted Christian homes and businesses in Borno state.

This time the violence erupted in the northern state of Jigawa. Feelings were already running high about the Pope's remarks. A squabble that broke out between a young Muslim man and his Christian tailor was the spark that ignited the tinderbox. The man accused his tailor, a woman, of blasphemy against Mohammed.

In the riots that followed, militants destroyed at least ten churches, including St Peter's Anglican Cathedral. They targeted Christian homes and businesses, burning 20 houses and 40 shops.

Representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria had warned the police to expect the violence - but their warning was ignored. It took hundreds of heavily armed police to bring the riots under control.

In similar attacks in February militants burned down 56 churches and killed at least 50 Christians in Borno state. That attack was a planned and premeditated protest against the publication of cartoons in Denmark insulting the prophet Mohammed.

Release International, which serves the persecuted church in more than 30 countries, is supporting pastors and re-roofing the homes of Christians destroyed in the violence.

And RI continues to highlight the plight of Nigerian Christians, who are bearing the blunt of Islamist anger.

‘The troubles are being stirred up in a bid to impose strict Islamic law,’ says Andy Dipper, Release International’s Chief Executive. ‘Islamist mercenaries are being brought into Nigeria to launch attacks against Christians. Thousands of Christians have been driven from their homes in an effort to change the balance of the population. It’s setting faith against faith, tribe against tribe and is in danger of splitting the country.

‘The Christians we work with say they forgive their attackers and will continue to live in peace with their neighbours – just as Jesus commanded. It’s no easy option when your neighbours burn down your churches and attack your homes. Nigerian Christians really need our prayers.’

So far 12 of Nigeria’s 36 states have adopted Islamic shar’ia law. Video reports from Nigeria appear in recent editions of the monthly webcast World Update on the Persecuted Church. The October edition features an interview with a mother who forgives the militants who burnt to death her three children. The webcast also includes a special report on North Korea.

A DVD on Nigeria and Korea called Prayer Works has been made for the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church on November 19. Both webcasts and DVD are available on the Release International website on www.releaseinternational.org

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