Story number 1 for 14 Aug 2001

(Nigeria)–Topping the news, the church in Nigeria is reportedly saying the Sharia legal code, introduced by some Northern State governments, is meant to thwart the spread of Christianity. This came in advance of the mounting tensions between Christian youths and Sharia enforcers that led to weekend riots, and the demolition of some churches in Kano. Voice of the Martyrs’ Todd Nettleton. “What was said as the Sharia law was being put into effect was that it would only count for Muslims-that Christians would be allowed to live as they pleased. But now, what we’re seeing in these riots, and what we’re seeing in several locations is that Christians are being held accountable to the Sharia laws.” Nettleton asks people to pray. “It will make it a little more of a challenge, but, as often happens, it fires up the church. We can pray for President Obasanjo, who is a Christian, that he will have wisdom as he deals with Muslim people of his nation, which obviously would like to control politically, the nation of Nigeria.”