In the African nation of Niger, reports state between 45 to 61 churches were set on fire by extremist opposed to the cartoons published by the Charlie Hebdo magazine in France, under their freedom of press. These attacks happened over the weekend of January 17-18, 2015, and more details are coming out. The extremist attacks also resulted in 10 killed, as part of attacks also on a local bar owned by people from France, as well as attacks on the Niger police, and burning of Niger police vehicles.
Niger: Evangelical church in Niger torched (Source: Danette Childs)
Many of the attacks on Christian houses of worship were in the Niger capital city of Niamey.
Niger: Protesters Burn Roadblock in January 17, 2015 Protests (Source: AP Photo/APTN)
CNN and AFP reported: “AFP, the France-based news wire service, said police reported that 173 people have been injured; at least 45 churches have been ‘set ablaze in the capital (Niamey) alone,’ and a ‘Christian school and orphanage were also set alight.’ Numerous sites were pillaged before being burned. Video from Niamey showed protesters waving Qurans and yelling ‘God is great’ while tearing apart Bibles and throwing them onto the ground.”
Niger: January 17 Protests with Burning Police Vehicle
AP and local Nigerian media also reported that 45 churches were attacked in Niger.
A Christian outreach organization, Open Doors, with Christians in the nation of Niger, stated that 61 churches had been burned over the weekend, according to missionary Neal Childs. Mission Networks News (MNN) reported that “61 churches in Niger over the weekend” were attacked by protesters torching the churches.
Niger: Despite the burning of church, this Bible wasn't completely burned. (Source: Danette Childs)
MNM interviewed Neal Childs, who stated: “Last week, churches all across the nation went on without any idea that churches would be burned. Four of our churches were attacked. Three [they] actually got in and did great damage. Two of our pastors’ homes were also burned. A Bible school was also burned.” According to MNM, “Childs says the attacks happened simultaneously in Niamey. It appears police and other security officers were overwhelmed and couldn’t control it.”
Niger: Arson Terror Attack on St. Gabriel Church (Source: Redemptorists)
According to the Redemptiorists, “[i]n Niamey, the churches of St. Paul, St. Augustine, St. Gabriel, St. John, St. Theresa and St. Joseph were burned down and looted, as well as two convents of religious women.” the Redemptorists reported “[i[n the Dioceses of Maradi and Niamey, several churches were burned down along with some religious houses that were attacked. Other Protestant churches were also damaged by the demonstrators.”
Niger: Arson Terror Attack on St. Gabriel Church (Source: Redemptorists)
Similar protests on Friday in the second city of Zinder also saw five people killed and 45 wounded. AFP also reported that “The death toll from riots a day earlier in Niger’s second city of Zinder had climbed from four to five after a body was found ‘burned inside a church,’ he added.”
Niger: Arson Terror Attack on St. Gabriel Church (Source: Redemptorists)
The attacks by extremists and violent mobs against any house of worship anywhere in the world is a direct attack on our shared universal human rights.
Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.) rejects the efforts of extremist mobs, organizations, and individuals to attack the universal human rights of all. Our support for those we find holy cannot be honored by unholy violence and hatred. Our religious freedoms cannot be supported by denying the religious freedom of others. We support all of our universal human rights, including our freedom of press, freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, human dignity, and our shared security.
