Christians face more danger in Nigeria than in Saudi Arabia, report says
It’s more dangerous for Christians to live in “secular” Nigeria than in Islam’s global headquarters Saudi Arabia, a world report by Open Doors says.
The report comes amidst recent suspected religious killings in Nigeria with Christians being the target of such deadly attacks.
During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a Nigerian man was reportedly beaten by “Islamic extremists” in Kaduna because he dared to eat in day time.
In Kano, a Christian woman killed for allegedly insulting Prophet Mohammed.
Another Christian woman was recently murdered in Abuja while preaching in the morning.
Irate young Muslims reportedly attacked a church in Niger State for holding a service on Friday, saying the day was reserved to the Islamic Jumat alone.
These incidences happened in 2016 but the Open Door report focused on ones in the previous year.
How Nigeria ranked
“The Open Doors World Watch List highlights the 50 countries where it is most difficult to live as a Christian,” the body said in a statement on its website.
“These are the places where followers of Christ must keep their beliefs hidden and where living the gospel means facing beatings, imprisonment, discrimination and abuse.
“The list reports that persecution became more intense in more parts of the world in 2015.
“While North Korea remains the most difficult place in the world to be a Christian, persecution is growing most rapidly in Africa, especially sub-Saharan Africa.
“In the Middle East, Islamic State violence in Iraq and Syria has increased the pace of the exodus of the Christian population from the region and is also having a global impact.”
Open Doors ranked Nigeria 12th on the list ahead of core Islamic country Saudi Arabia.
The ranking, if it’s anything to go by, could mean “religious” attacks in Nigeria has less to do with religion itself..
