Christian Worship Thrives in Northern Nigeria, Despite Dangers

 

9/29/2013 Kano, Nigeria (Daily Trust/ AllAfrica.com) - ...The truth is we still have a vibrant lively church--church as a body of Christ now in Kano State. The fact that we've gone through several persecutions, religious turbulences and provocations and deprivations has not quenched the light of the church. Solidly, we're there because you can destroy a church building but you can't destroy the church itself. You can kill people but you can't kill the church because in our own biblical injunction, the Lord said, "I built my church and the gates of hell can't prevail... "

We understand that the church will suffer a lot of attacks but we're still there. The church is thriving and we're making our inputs as much as possible in Kano State as much as possible. If you go to CAN Kano State or just call my name--google my name, you'll see our activities outlined--a lot of things we do in Kano. Almost every month, I speak in the papers. I shout when I need to shout. I talk, we can't be repressed.

The church in Kano is alive. Even though numbers have decreased tremendously... we have suffered a lot of persecutions, neglect by the government; we've suffered reduction in our membership, many have been killed, many have relocated because of fears. There's no doubt about that. Some churches have closed. When you lose a pastor, members killed, church burnt, the church closes down. But that does not mean we don't have church in Kano. We're still there(Source).

“Protect Us Or Expel Us!” Christians of Pakistan Demand Security

Sadly this may be wishful thinking on the part of my brethren in Christ.

9/29/2013 Pakistan (Tribune) - Christian representatives have demanded army deployment at churches to prevent future terrorist attacks. Security arrangements for churches are ineffective as witnessed in the twin suicide blasts on September 22, said Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) minority wing leader Nasir Masih Sahotra. Christians now want the army to protect their churches, he added.

“We believe inadequate security is the main reason behind the successful attack on All Saints’ Church near Kohati Gate. More steps should be taken to protect our places of worship,” maintained Sahotra. He further said the number of people who died in the September 22 attack is higher than the official figure released.

“We have prepared a list of 139 dead and 160 injured. Most people did not go to the hospital and were directly taken to their houses for burial,” Sahotra told The Express Tribune on Thursday. Relatives of the deceased are now getting death certificates issued from the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), he added.

Sahotra went on to blame the LRH for providing substandard medication to hospitalised victims and demanded better quality medicines be procured and provided to the injured to ensure proper recovery.
Meanwhile, at a news conference at the Peshawar Press Club on Thursday, Christian Action Committee (CAC) general secretary and National Peace Committee for Interfaith Harmony member Khalid Shahzad also urged for better security.

“Christians have been targeted in several incidents in the past.” Shahzad sought the deployment of Rangers and the Pakistan Army at all churches across the country. In line with previous demands by Christian representatives, the CAC member demanded arms licences be issued to members of church committees so they provide security as well. The government did not take previous incidents seriously, which lead to the tragedy in Peshawar, he said.

Flanked by committee members Javed Asim, Qazi Abdul Wahid and Tariq Siraj, the representative blamed the government for failing in its prime responsibility to protect the lives and property of its people, including adherents of other religions.

“We demand stern action be taken against police officials immediately, and the perpetrators of the heinous attack be brought to justice,” he said, adding: “Foolproof arrangements have to be made to protect all churches and Christian residential colonies under a comprehensive security plan(Source).”