Protesters Set Churches In Niger On Fire Over Charlie Hebdo’s Prophet Muhammad Cartoon

Two churches have been set on fire in Niamey, capital of Niger amid fresh protests against French magazine, Charlie Hebdo’s cartoon depicting Prophet Muhammad

ZV1tWlXmRZRbYe3LI4OQPCRz

BBC reports that today’s protests began outside the country’s grand mosque with police using tear gas on protesters a day after at least four people were killed in the second city of Zinder.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at Niamey’s grand mosque, shouting “God is Great” in Arabic.

41LnvzGzYOcIOrxwmwvGcLyy

The protests had started on Friday in the city of  Zinder where protesters also raided shops that were run by Christians.

The French cultural centre in Zinder also came under attack.

The centre’s director, Kaoumi Bawa, said an angry crowd of around 50 people had smashed the building’s door and set fire to the cafeteria, library and offices.

xn6nb0b6ap4UAbW5KICUHjIC

The French embassy has issued a warning asking its citizens in the country to stay indoors.

The cover of the magazine’s latest edition, published after the attack, featured a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad weeping while holding a sign saying “I am Charlie”.

Many Muslims see any depiction of Islam’s prophet as offensive.

In a related development, prominent Nigerian Islamic Scholar, Dr. Ahmad Mahmud Gumi has expressed his views on the recent terror attack at satirique magazine Charlie Hebdo in the French capital, Paris.

2 COMMENTS