Events Detail

Hudson Institute's Center for Religious Freedom and International Christian Concern held a conference entitled:

 Nigeria: Islamic Radicalism, Religious Violence, and Prospects for Reconciliation

Wednesday, February 17, 2010
12:30 – 1:30 P.M.

On December 25, 2009, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, a Muslim from northern Nigeria, attempted to blow up a crowded Northwest Airlines flight en route from Amsterdam to Detroit. This act of terrorism shines a spotlight on a growing culture of Muslim radicalization in Africa's most populous country.

Central and Northern Nigeria are feeling the brunt of this radicalization. Both Christians and Muslims in these areas have been victimized by warring militias, each claiming God's favor. More than 300 people were killed in a Christian-Muslim conflict that started on January 17, in Jos, Nigeria. Jos was also at the center of a similar crisis in 2008 that resulted in over 500 deaths.

In July 2009, Boko Haram, an Islamic extremist group, carried out attacks in Northern Nigerian states in which over 700 people were killed. One of Boko Haram's stated objectives is to impose strict Islamic law nationwide, including in the Christian-majority south.  In the Northern Nigerian city of Bauchi, the Islamic sect Izala carried out targeted attacks against Christians, resulting in eleven deaths and over 3,000 persons displaced. The escalating violence has caused a state of humanitarian crisis in Nigeria.

For a first hand account of the situation, the Hudson Institute and International Christian Concern co-sponsored Reverend John Joseph Hayab's appearance in Washington. Rev. Hayab, whose work is dedicated to peaceful reconciliation efforts, is founder of the Christian Awareness Initiative, a human rights organization focused on religious reconciliation, and serves as head of the Kaduna State Christian Association of Nigeria. In his presentation, he addressed underlying factors contributing to Nigeria's Islam-Christian conflict and the situation of religious minorities. 

For more information please email Beth Kerley at bkerley@hudson.org

Betsy and Walter Stern Conference Center

Hudson Institute

1015 15^th Street, NW

Sixth Floor

Washington, DC 20005