Boko Haram
Amid criticism, Nigeria postpones presidential election, citing ongoing violence by Boko Haram
By Fredrick Nzwili — February 9, 2015
(RNS) Nigeria President Goodluck Jonathan has been sharply criticized for his management of the Boko Haram crisis and some Western leaders suggested the postponement was a last-ditch effort to shore up his vote.
Focus on Africa’s Islamic extremists has diverted attention from South Sudan’s growing crisis
By Fredrick Nzwili — February 5, 2015
(RNS) Motivated by tribal wars, the violence in South Sudan has pitted government troops from President Salva Kiir's Dinka tribe and rebels from rival Riek Machar’s Nuer tribe.
Boko Haram emerges as brutal Islamic State of Africa
By Oren Dorell — January 23, 2015
(RNS) Nigerian government troops seem weak and incapable of stopping Boko Haram from becoming a growing danger to Africa's most populous country and the world's 10th largest oil exporter.
Nigerian archbishop calls for unity marches following Boko Haram massacres
By Fredrick Nzwili — January 12, 2015
(RNS) While 20 people were killed in the Paris rampage (including three terrorists), as many as 2,000 were killed as Boko Haram militants took over the town of Baga in Nigeria's Borno state.
Islamic insurgency isn’t just a Mideast problem, as Africans know all too well
By Fredrick Nzwili — December 29, 2014
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) In 2014, Africans suffered dozens of deadly terror attacks by groups either allied with Islamic State leader Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi or using similarly bloody tactics.
Détente on Christmas * Beard passes * Christ Bless Mississippi: Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — December 4, 2014
This month's religious freedom news and views from around the world. Read with caution. Prozac optional.
Boko Haram terrorists aim at Nigeria’s Muslims, too, killing 120 Friday worshippers
By Fredrick Nzwili — December 1, 2014
(RNS) The Islamist militant group Boko Haram has waged a campaign of terror in this part of the country since 2009. It had previously targeted churches.
Don’t forget the Nigerian schoolgirls, or girls’ education (COMMENTARY)
By Christy Vines — November 6, 2014
(RNS) The time for the U.S. to act together with the world to rescue the Nigerian schoolgirls (and those recently abducted) is now.
Brittany Maynard dies * ISIS crucifies teen * Sneaky bat mitzvah: October’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — November 3, 2014
Brittany Maynard ends her life. ISIS fighters crucify a Syrian teen for taking photos. And Women of the Wall host a sneaky bat mitzvah in Jerusalem. This and more in this month’s recap.
Negotiations with Boko Haram a farce, says Catholic priest
By Fredrick Nzwili — October 29, 2014
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) “This is a farce and a grand deceit,” said the Rev. John Bakeni, a Roman Catholic priest in Nigeria, speaking of his country's peace negotiations with the Islamist group Boko Haram to release abducted schoolgirls.
After kidnapping schoolgirls, Boko Haram takes aim at churches in northeast Nigeria
By Fredrick Nzwili — September 2, 2014
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) Boko Haram, which church leaders and analysts view as an African variation of the Islamic State, is taking over churches in northeastern Nigeria, beheading men and forcing Christian women to convert to Islam.
Islamic militias continue spread beyond the Middle East into African nations
By Fredrick Nzwili — August 18, 2014
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) The declaration from Libya's Ansar al-Sharia movement mirrors the rise of the Islamic State in northern Iraq and Syria. The two militant movements share similar goals.
Some Nigerians call for banning the hijab to prevent female suicide bombers
By Fredrick Nzwili — August 7, 2014
(RNS) Last week, four women believed to be members of the Islamic militant group Boko Haram carried attacks in Kano, a city in Northern Nigeria.
Lobby Hobby * Meriam’s saga * Mormon purge?: June’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — June 30, 2014
SCOTUS decides whether Hobby Lobby’s favorite hobby (lobbying) paid off. Sudan’s Meriam Ibrahim is yanked around on death row for being Christian. And the Mormon Church excommunicates women’s ordination advocate Kate Kelly on apostasy charges. All this and much more in June's RF recap.
Gay cakes * Zombie guru * Camp Kill Jews: May’s Religious Freedom Recap
By Brian Pellot — June 2, 2014
Colorado orders bakers to bake gay wedding cakes as fast as they can. An Indian court will rule on whether an uber wealthy guru died in January or is just meditating in a freezer. And Spain’s Jewless “Camp Kill Jews” finally kills the killing part of its name.
