The largest Catholic church in Zinder, Niger's second city destroyed
at the date of
Minggu, 27 Juni 2021
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"After Friday prayers, hundreds of protesters broke down the door of the cathedral they totally trashed before setting fire to all the documentation and breaking the statue of the Virgin Mary," he told AFP the corresponding local radio Zinder.
The Catholic Church in Niger, which is 90%, Muslim confirmed the attack. The attackers shouted "Allah Akbar" (God is greatest), according to the testimony of Father Leo, a priest of this parish.
Other Islamist demonstrators burned American and English flags before the sultan's palace, he is a customary and religious leader of Zinder, located near Nigeria.
One policeman was injured in clashes with demonstrators that a "ten" was arrested, said the journalist.
"Many Christian leaders are being kept by the police to ensure their safety," he said.
The security forces have also been deployed to ensure the security of churches in the city against possible attacks Islamists, he said.
Other more peaceful demonstrations were held Friday and Saturday in some areas of the region, he said.
"The tension fell Sunday, but it is a precarious calm," he judged.
The Islamic Council of Niger "strongly condemned this film that savagely attacks Islam and insult our Prophet Mohammed," in a statement read Sunday at the public radio and television.
"This film is a historical crime"
"In fact, this film is a historical crime prepared by the enemies of Islam and is a clear call to create serious problems between nations", has outraged the Council.
The institution also "condemned the attacks and killings" of diplomats and Western embassies, "who have no liability for this film."
It also launched a "call" to the Muslims of Niger "to avoid the destruction of churches" in the country, pointing out that "Islam is a religion of peace and tolerance."
Niger is a neighbour of Nigeria, where there is the Islamist sect Boko Haram and Mali whose north is occupied by Islamists began applying sharia (Islamic law) with their allies of Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) .
Tens of thousands of Muslims marched in the world to denounce "Innocence of Muslims" (Muslim innocence), a film denigrating Islam. (AFP)
