ADF International: Christians in Nigeria Need Us All to Stand against Religious Persecution

Thousands of Nigerian Christians like Rhoda, Ezekiel*, and David* suffer grievously at the hands of terrorists and other militants and biased legal systems because of their faith.

Nigeria is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for Christians. Through your unwavering generosity and support, our global religious freedom team has made it their mission to stop this violence and defend Christians in Nigeria and the world over.

What Christians are Facing in Nigeria

Nigeria is split demographically largely, with a Christian majority in the south, a Muslim majority, and a Christian minority in the North. Christianity has grown over recent decades in Nigeria, with Christians going from 36% of the country’s population in 1963 to roughly 50% of the population now.

Why ADF International is so Involved in Nigeria

A growing number of Christians call Nigeria home and desire to live out their faith through peaceful, quiet lives. And yet, many of these Christians and other religious minorities do not have access to life-saving legal protections because of the injustice of a biased legal system and Sharia courts. Grounded in Islamic extremism, Sharia courts counter national systems of justice and levy harsh injustices on those who allegedly “blaspheme” Islam. An example is young songwriter Yahaya Sharif-Aminu.

Everything began with audio messages that this young Nigerian man shared on WhatsApp. They contained self-composed lyrics in which Yahaya spoke about a nineteenth-century Imam revered in his particular tradition of Sufi Islam. Yahaya was then accused by others on the WhatsApp chat of blasphemy for allegedly placing the Imam above the prophet Muhammad.

An official authority in charge of enforcing Sharia law arrested Yahaya. Shortly after, the young man was convicted in a Sharia court for his alleged “blasphemy” and sentenced to death by hanging. In the trial, he didn’t even have legal counsel.

Blasphemy accusations are the ultimate censorship because they often lead to death.

With the support of ADF International, his case has been brought before the Supreme Court of Nigeria, where it is currently pending. A positive decision could overturn the harsh blasphemy law plaguing Northern Nigeria. Cases like Yahaya’s and those of many Christians we’ve supported serve as a legal rebuke to the oppressive Sharia system and as a hope to advance and defend religious freedom around the country.

Will you help us and stand up for religious freedom everywhere?

Every client I met thanked those who prayed for them and their religious freedom and who contributed to supporting their legal cases. But they also said that more help was desperately needed, and I saw their need with my own eyes.

Sean Nelson

Global Religious Freedom ADF International

Courtesy: ADF International