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_WORLD WATCH______________________________
________________Nigeria_______________
Church, mosque burned
Riots follow debate on Islamic law
A church and a mosque were burned in the Gombe state in northeastern Nigeria late in May, during riots sparked by plans to introduce the strict Muslim Sharia law.
A demonstration protesting two bills that were being debated in the state assembly turned violent in the town of Kumo. There were no reports of deaths, although some people were injured and some shops were vandalized. The protesters opposed two bills which call for the implementation of Sharia and the creation of secular “customary courts” for Christians and non-Muslims.
Non-Muslims oppose the plans for Sharia law, which carries tough sanctions, such as stoning for adultery and amputation of hands for theft.
Nigeria has a Muslim majority in northern states and a Christian majority in the south of the country. The declaration of Sharia law in some northern states led to Christian-Muslim fighting in February and May of last year, especially in the northern city of Kaduna; hundreds of people died in those clashes. Several of Nigeria’s states have now adopted Sharia or are considering plans to adopt the Islamic code in the near future.