Christians Under Attack

state policy, which went into effect May 5, applies even to Christian girls studying in private schools.

Kano is one of 12 states in the more populous northern part of Nigeria which on June 23, 2000, introduced Islamic shari'a law. Since then, conflicts between Christians and Muslims have led to the death of a 1,000 people in the region.

Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, who is himself a Christian, did not oppose the introduction of shari'a law. Many Christians fear that the election of a Muslim as the country’s next president could lead to the Islamization of the southern states. Muslims in the south are already demanding the Islamic veil for women.