Nigeria

Twelve northern states have imposed Islamic law in the past eight years, and there have been repeated outbreaks of ethnic and religious violence claiming many lives. More than 100 Christians were killed during 2008 and the destruction of many churches and kidnapping of believers continued through the year. In November, communal violence in the city of Jos saw six pastors killed, 40 churches destroyed and 369 Christians seriously injured. The pressure on Muslim background believers (MBB) is increasing and many are struggling to survive due to the pressure from their families who cut them off. Many MBB women have been divorced by their Muslim husbands for converting to Christ. Islamic clerics continue to preach hatred messages, and if Muslims get a hint of Christianity making progress, they respond with violence.

Examples of Persecution:

• In April 2011, Christians were deliberately targeted in most northern states. Hundreds of churches were destroyed and thousands of houses and shops belonging to Christians were also destroyed.
• Muslim extremists determined to rid Nigeria of Christianity killed 8 Christians in Niger state in September 2011

Open Doors is: distributing Bibles and offering Biblical training in ministry skills, providing assistance to Christians in sharia-controlled States with regards to schooling for their children, and providing emergency support in crisis situations

Please Pray:

• For comfort and healing for those caught up in the violence. Ask God to give courage to those living in fear of further attack
• For wisdom and strength for church leaders as they face this intimidation and try to restrain those who would retaliate
• For Christian parents bringing up their children in a society dominated by Islam, especially the widows of murdered pastors.