Radical Islamic Attack in Nigeria Spawns Fears of More Anti-Christian Violence
- Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:05pm by
Billy Hallowell
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MADALLA, Nigeria (The Blaze/AP) — Yesterday’s tragic terror attack in Nigeria has many wondering if more violence — particularly acts against Christian believers — may be on the way.
In the chaos after the Christmas terror attack on a Catholic church, one mortally wounded man cradled his wounded stomach and begged a priest for religious atonement. “Father, pray for me. I will not survive,” he said.
At least 35 people died at St. Theresa Catholic Church and dozens were wounded as radical Muslim militants launched coordinated attacks across Africa’s most populous nation within hours of one another. Four more people were killed in other violence blamed on the group known as Boko Haram.
It was the second year in a row that the extremists seeking to install Islamic Shariah law across the country of 160 million have staged Christmas attacks. Last year, a series of bombings on Christmas Eve killed 32 people in Nigeria.
On Monday, some tried to clean the sanctuary of the damaged church, while one man wept uncontrollably amid the debris. Crowds gathered among the burned-out cars in the dirt parking lot, angry over the attack and fearful that the group will target more churches.
Rev. Father Christopher Jataudarde told The Associated Press that Sunday’s blast happened as church officials gave parishioners white powder as part of a tradition celebrating the birth of Christ. Some already had left the church at the time of the bombing, causing the massive casualties.
At least 52 people were wounded in the attack, said Slaku Luguard, a coordinator with Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency. Victims filled the cement floors of a nearby government hospital, some crying in pools of their own blood.
Pope Benedict XVI denounced the bombing at his post-Christmas blessing Monday, urging people to pray for the victims and Nigeria’s Christian community.
“In this moment, I want to repeat once again with force: Violence is a path that leads only to pain, destruction and death. Respect, reconciliation and love are the only path to peace,” he said.
The African Union also condemned the attacks and pledged to support Nigeria in its fight against terrorism.
“Boko Haram’s continued acts of terror and cruelty and absolute disregard for human life cannot be justified by any religion or faith,” said a statement attributed to AU commission chairman Jean Ping.
On Sunday, a bomb also exploded amid gunfire in the central Nigeria city of Jos and a suicide car bomber attacked the military in the nation’s northeast. Three people died in those assaults.
After the bombings, a Boko Haram spokesman using the nom de guerre Abul-Qaqa claimed responsibility for the attacks in an interview with The Daily Trust, the newspaper of record across Nigeria’s Muslim north. The sect has used the newspaper in the past to communicate with public.
“There will never be peace until our demands are met,” the newspaper quoted the spokesman as saying. “We want all our brothers who have been incarcerated to be released; we want full implementation of the Sharia system and we want democracy and the constitution to be suspended.”
Boko Haram has carried out increasingly sophisticated and bloody attacks in its campaign to implement strict Shariah law across Nigeria. The group, whose name means “Western education is sacrilege” in the local Hausa language, is responsible for at least 504 killings this year alone, according to an Associated Press count.
Last year, a series of Christmas Eve bombings in Jos claimed by the militants left at least 32 dead and 74 wounded. The group also claimed responsibility for the Aug. 26 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Nigeria’s capital Abuja that killed 24 people and wounded 116 others.
While initially targeting enemies via hit-and-run assassinations from the back of motorbikes after the 2009 riot, violence by Boko Haram now has a new sophistication and apparent planning that includes high-profile attacks with greater casualties.
That has fueled speculation about the group’s ties as it has splintered into at least three different factions, diplomats and security sources say. They say the more extreme wing of the sect maintains contact with terror groups in North Africa and Somalia.
Targeting Boko Haram has remained difficult, as sect members are scattered throughout northern Nigeria and the nearby countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger.
Analysts say political considerations also likely play a part in the country’s thus-far muted response: President Goodluck Jonathan, a Christian from the south, may be hesitant to use force in the nation’s predominantly Muslim north.
Speaking late Sunday at a prayer service, Jonathan described the bombing as an “ugly incident.”
“There is no reason for these kind of dastardly acts,” the president said in a ceremony aired by the state-run Nigerian Television Authority. “It’s one of the burdens as a nation we have to carry. We believe it will not last forever.”
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Comments (83)
Miami
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:51pmFallendown
You’re out of your mind, stop hitting your head against the wall, it not going to change the truth you are denying.
Report Post »Dosrios
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:50pmIf American oil companies hadn’t developed mineral wealth in Muslim countries (before being nationalized; stolen by governments made strong and rich by those companies), we’d never have heard of “Islam,” and those savages would still be cooking over camel dung fires and licking their left hands after bowel movements.
Report Post »smackdown33
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:56pmIf America hadn’t propped up every oppressive dictator in the Middle East at the expense of the Arab people, there would be no need to have these discussions today. And, those natural resources belonged to the Arabs, not the oil companies who did the stealing.
Report Post »RichNGadsden
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:59pmBS! The Soviets did the same thing in the same areas, then heavily armed them in hopes of turning them against the West even more. If the U.S. had not been there at all things would be much worse. I suppose that you are part of this 0bama and far left with the idea that America is what ails the world. Fool!
Report Post »RichNGadsden
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 4:05pmCorrection: Fools as in plural now.
Report Post »tzion
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 4:13pmAre we forgetting the Europeans? European imperialism is responsible for 70-95% of all Middle Eastern issues.
Report Post »tzion
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 4:37pm@Smack
Report Post »While I agree America should stop supporting dictators, I would like to point out that it was the European imperialists who started the problem. America just added fuel to a fire that was already burning.
smackdown33
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 4:49pmTzion, can not argue against your point. Most of the Zionists who took Palestinian land and committed most of the atrocities did come from Europe.
To the others, look at our relationship with the Shah of Iran, and how we overthrew a democratically elected government in Iran. Look at our support of Saddam Husein, Mubarak, Saud‘s and the Assad’s. Look how we encourage democratic elections, only to war with the results when they do not go our way, be they in Iran or Palestine.
Report Post »smackdown33
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:49pmDom321, the Reich was a modern society as well. So, your point was?
Second, begin here in answer to your question: http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/list-as-many-famous-jewish-critics-of-israels-oppression-of-palestinians-as-you-can-name-go/question-812177/
Report Post »cantbelieveallthisgarbagecouldhappenwhodoislap
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:46pmI dont get it!! I study history, I listen to the present muslin leaders,I hear nothing but hate and contempt for anyone that isnt muslim,they say and teach ,kill !!! Am I missing some thing here??
Report Post »smackdown33
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:52pmKick a dog hard and long enough, he will bite and become very aggressive. Cause and effect, stimulus and response, come to mind.
Report Post »skippy6
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 4:21pmIt’s the radical thinking that they have, And if the moderate Muslims don’t step up to the plate to stop it, things WILL get worse, It’s time to be an energy independent nation again!!! Don’t get entangled in their business… And if they mess with us at that point, then We will deal with it….Just sayin….
Report Post »Sparky101
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 5:04pmSmack, I suggest you go there and see. What you’ve learned so far, is simplistic at best, and generally unsupported by fact.
Report Post »smackdown33
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 5:11pmSparky101, begin your history lesson here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy3KDYE5KQE
The real history is not difficult to find, but you must first get over your preconceived ideas.
Report Post »Latter-Day-Soldier
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 8:30pmIf anyone on this site ( who is non-muslim) wants to have a VERY clear idea of what kind of treatment to expect from muslims when they infiltrate or take an area over, read the book “Because They Hate” by Bridgette Gabriel who is a Lebanese Christian and who is also a survivor of the Lebanese civil war.
ISBN# 978-0-312-57128-3 And in case you were wondering, muslims initiated hostilities.
Another good website: http://www.politicalislam.com Search for: Sharia Law for Non-Muslims. This is a 50 page book that can be read on-line and explains why muslims believe in enforcing Sharia law on the world and how they do it.
Report Post »Miami
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:45pmHow long will it be before car bombs become common place here in the US?
Report Post »smackdown33
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:53pmIt didn’t take too long in the British Mandate of Palestine. Just look at the Irgun and Stern Gang.
Report Post »skippy6
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 4:45pmWell, the honor killings are here, so it might not be that far away!!!!
Report Post »Miami
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 8:35pmIt began with rise of the Islamic caliphate 632–750AD
Report Post »mike_trivisonno
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:23am“How long will it be before car bombs become common place here in the US?”
It is function of muslim population. For an example, look to France where there is now a 10% muslim population; enough to show up on a map of the muslim world. There, in France, the muslims clog the streets with prayer rugs and openly engage in jihad without any fear from the native French. Muslims riot regularly in the neighborhood outside Paris and burn cars and rape women after Friday night “prayers”.
In India, they have already been conditioned to accept jihad violence as the “new reality”. Ceding Pakistan and Bangladesh to the muslims was not enough. They want all of India.
As muslim population is reduced, jihad violence is reduced.
Hopefully, we in America can witness the jihad erupt all over Europe and will heed the warning and begin systematic deportation of muslims.
Report Post »GoldenRudy
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:44pm“SPAWNS FEARS OF MORE ANTI-CHRISTIAN VIOLENCE”???? You think? This is a “dog bites man” headline. If it read “spawn’s fear of co-existence and acceptance of differences”, now that would be a headline in relation to Islam. BTW. Let’s stop calling Islam a religion, shall we? It is a theo-political movement. Not a religion.
Report Post »smackdown33
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:44pmI have checked the facts. I do not condone the killing of innocent’s. And, I am not sick. Fact is, modern terrorism was brought to the Middle East by Jews. The state of Israel was carved out of Palestine by money and terrorism. The sixth Prime Minister of the Jewish state of Israel was a terrorist, as was the seventh.
Report Post »One can not today condemn those for the same acts that you once condoned for others. Makes no sense.
Dom321
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:43pmSmack, Can you cite specifics of Muslims being oppressed in or by Israel? Or are the Jews providing jobs to Palestinians who desperately need them because their backward religion forbids many liberties which YOU enjoy here? The Israelis have produced one of the most modern societies in the MIddle East, having made chicken salad out of a chicken s–t land.
Count your blessings and hope this “religion of peace” doesn’t take hold in your town. They will slice your neck open before you can ask them for MERCY.
Report Post »Miami
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:42pmAll hail Obama’s Arab spring, Hopi Changi thing..,
You all thought it meant the lack of change in your pocket? Haa
Unfortunately we will all look back on a time that it was just the economy that was tanking.
Report Post »Drakkhanlord
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:42pmSearch the immigration database …will be amazed at the amount of muzszies being brought into the USA since 2009…Hmm same year that Muzszie obama /soetoro./bouhnel became teleprompter in chief…
Hope all enjoy the Martial Law that is incoming…
All were warned for 20+years of what is about to happen.
Live Free , Dle Well…
Report Post »Latter-Day-Soldier
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 8:31pmHow many have bee brought over?
Report Post »mike_trivisonno
Posted on December 27, 2011 at 10:30amThe muslims are being imported by the socialists and elites to be used as a cudgel against the American citizenry. Muslims will not hesitate to deliver horrific violence to Americans.
Want to know where Obamas Army is garrisoned? I would suggest that they are garrisoned and waiting in local mosques across the country.
Report Post »CONNIPTION FITZ
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:39pmHUH – Anti-Christian violence has been going on before, during and after the Arab Spring (AS).
During the US tenure in Afganistan and Iraq, Christians and other minorities have been slaughtered and churches burned with impunity. Christians have been crucified in Ivory Coast during the AS and beheaded in Egypt after it.
The current administration is anti-Christian and pro-Islamist.
Report Post »tzion
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:38pmSmack, historically Christians have done more to earn the scorn of Muslims than any other group. In fact, it very well could be that the animosity of Muslims towards Israel and the Jews stems from how they had been treated historically by European Christians and that they have come to see Jews as part of that European society that had previously oppressed them.
Report Post »skippy6
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:32pmNO, Smacknutcase it means you ignore the facts……
Report Post »cantbelieveallthisgarbagecouldhappenwhodoislap
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:32pmReally?inhumanely?I dont think it was jews in those planes highjacking,I don hear of jews blowing innocent people up these days,I just hear only of other people blowing things up in the name of satan!! Dont feed me those lies! I may be slow but not stupid!
Report Post »psst
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:27pmas bOOsh used to babble. “The religion of peace.
Report Post »No one in their right mind thinks Islam is the religion of peace.
Ya gotta be all doped up to b’leve that garbage.
No sane person straps bombs on themselves to go and blow up others who are not of their religion.
And they even blow up those who/whom are of their religion.
What parents thinks it’s a high honor if their chirrens/chilluns straps bombs on themselves and blow up others?.Moslem parents.
Moslems are a danger to the whole World.
TSUNAMI-22
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:26pmInstead of calling them “radical Islamists”, why don’t they just call them “practicing Islamists”. I mean, why the misdirection in terms?
The Jews have been persecuted for thousands of years and (I think) just want to be left the hell alone.
Report Post »CONNIPTION FITZ
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:45pmViolence, genocide and hatred of Jews and Christians is written into the core texts of Mohammedanism.
There is no getting it out.
They must be converted – to the more excellent Way of Christ. (I Corinthians 12:31-13:13)
Isaiah 31:8-9 says that Assyria (Babylon, Egypt, Philistines) will fall by the sword, not the sword of man, but the Sword of God which is the Word of God that convicts us of sin, righteousness and judgment, that washes, births, builds, transforms and feeds us.
Report Post »THE COMING
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:24pmThe “FACT” is, that it is not because of unconditional support from the Christian’s. Study the Qur’an and you will see, that Islam an evil religion, plain and simple. These so-called radicals are in reality devout Muslims who wish to destroy the brotherhood of both Christians and Jews. Where we are children of light, they are the children of darkness. Perhaps you should study Islam from the very beginning to understand it. It has not changed since the beginning.
Report Post »ares338
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:24pmAs long as there are even so called moderate Muslims in the world, you will have attacks on Christians.
Report Post »bringiton
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:20pmYou are one sick, twisted pos.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:20pmOh, then by all means, blow up as many innocent people as you want.
Report Post »cantbelieveallthisgarbagecouldhappenwhodoislap
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:19pmCheck your facts!! not sell your lies,that is the first step!!
Report Post »cantbelieveallthisgarbagecouldhappenwhodoislap
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:16pmIt is very clear that this stuff is not going to stop!! Now what??
Report Post »TSUNAMI-22
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:15pmIt won’t be long, now. Gonna be a very long, tumultuous year.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:13pmCowards.
Report Post »certified ethical hacker
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:09pmhow long do you think it will be before the USA gives about a million of these war thugs amnesty to come to the USA and bring their hate to our cities? I am sure obuma would be all for it , to have the ability to enlist more thugs to further his reverend wrights war on whites and jews
Report Post »certified ethical hacker
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:18pmIt is sad that it can take a decent working Philippine family years to legally get family members to the states but o baluga can get his war thugs over here in a matter of days that can say they do not want to many asians here but let millions of mexicans and muslims in and every time some skirmish in one of these africian nations arise. we take in millions of their war thugs
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on December 26, 2011 at 3:26pmI wonder which black American psedo-leader will speak out and pick a side on this one?
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