There is an evangelical Anglican presence in Nigeria providing some helpful insight into the disturbing Muslim-Christian violence.   In this article published online February 24, Christian leaders, including Archbishop Akinola, sadly report that it is increasingly difficult to keep young Christians from retaliating in the face of Muslim attacks.  Here’s an exerpt:

“We have for a long time now watched helplessly the killing, maiming and destruction of Christians and their property by Muslim fanatics and fundamentalists at the slightest or no provocation at all,” Archbishop Akinola wrote. “Peace is absolutely necessary for realizing our dreams and aspirations for Nigeria.”

But Archbishop Akinola also sought to remind “our Muslim brothers that they do not have the monopoly of violence in this nation,” and the Church “may no longer be able to contain our restive youths” should attacks on Christians continue.

Dr. Sookhdeo, a convert from Islam to Christianity and a priest of the Church of England, agreed, noting, “peaceful conduct is all too often seen as weakness by Muslims.”

If Western governments and Church leaders “will not condemn the anti-Christian violence or even publicize it, can they be so surprised when non-Western Christians–goaded beyond endurance–finally fight back?” Dr. Sookhdeo said.

These are difficult days for our Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria.  They need wisdom to know how to protect their property and, more importantly, their families in the face of this violence.

Many of us know that a Danish newspaper’s political cartoons depicting Muhammad have sparked worldwide violence by Muslims who found these pictures offensive. The latest uprisings have taken place in Nigeria where Muslims have attacked and killed dozens of Christians. However, there is a twist. As reported by the Washington Post, the Christians have retaliated attacking and killing their Muslim neighbors.

In a follow-up article, the Post noted that it is not simply about religion–there are long-standing ethnic and political divides separating these Nigerians. In other words, they are living in an already explosive, volatile situation and are, perhaps, looking for something, anything, to spark an uprising.

Let’s pray that the Gospel is not held in disrepute as the media covers this event as Christians retaliating with violence against Muslims. Let’s pray for peace in Nigeria. Let’s pray that these Nigerians who claim the name of Christ would have wisdom to know how to protect their families from further assault while at the same time protecting the name of their Savior. Finally, let’s pray that these world events would open up doors of evangelism for us. John Piper’s “Being Mocked . . . “ is good fodder for an evangelistic conversation on this topic.

Today is Ashura, the last day of a ten-day feast in which Muslims around the world commemorate the death of Imam Hussein, a grandson of Islam’s prophet Mohammed. Here are some images. Note especially the children in some of the pictures. If nothing else, brothers and sisters, pray. More than a billion people in our world believe this is what God requires of them.