Violence in Nigeria Cannot be Called Spontaneous

Submitted by Warren Smith (United States), Nov 22, 2002 at 17:59

Such violence in response to the reported stimulus, a newspaper article, cannot have been spontaneous. Evidence shows the attacks were directed at Christian churches and presumably Christian bystanders, not the newspaper offices alone. This event strongly suggests some purposeful incitement of the mobs. This would likely be from the Islamic cleric leadership. What can be said of the Islamic leadership that would direct crowds to strike indiscriminately at such victims? Religious men or ruthless? An unconscionable act to intimidate other faiths!

---

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".