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REX/Sipa Press
World News

Nigerian Christians chastise Boko Haram with hymns

by Desmond Busteed

According to the Times the lyrics reveal an increasingly sectarian element to the conflict developing between Christians and Muslims.

The songs, described as a cross between jingly church music and synthetic pop, preach: "Muslims don't want peace ... they are destroying people's lives.

"We Nigeria. We Christian Nigeria, we have come together now, we understand this is a religious war."

Muslim leaders in the region claim the lyrics have led to Boko Haram militants targeting Christian communities where the music was being circulated.

Salihi Ateequ, a member of the Muslim Council of Adamawa state, one of the three north eastern provinces under a state of emergency, said the hymns had encouraged Boko Haram to "vent on the people of Michika".

He said one song accused the insurgents of cowardice for attacking villages only at night time: "People were selling audio cassettes with this abuse and it got into the hands of Boko Haram, because they have informants."

Dr Khataza Gondwe, Christian Solidarity Worldwide's Nigeria officer described the song as way for Christians to comment on the ongoing attacks, speaking to Premier's News Hour, she said: "It's a way of answering back to the violence that's being committed against you (Christians).

"It isn't a provocation for violence".

Around 13,000 people have been killed and millions more displaced, with Christians facing the greatest threat from Boko Haram's six year insurgency.

Dr Khataza Gondwe, Christian Solidarity Worldwide:

 
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