Wednesday, September 7, 2011

"Islamicism" on the march in Nigeria

My earlier post contained a reference to Muslim extremism -- or "Islamicism" as Canadian Prime Minister Harper now calls it -- in Nigeria. Ed. tells me I should have given an example, so here's one.

You've heard of al-Qaeda and Hizbollah and the Muslim Brotherhood, right? Add to your list of Muslim fundamentalist, Quran-inspired terrorist groups "Boko Haram". Boko Haram means “Western education is sacrilege” in the Hausa language spoken in northern Nigeria. A terrorist group proudly bearing this moniker claims responsibility for a rash of killings in Nigeria, targeting security officers, local leaders and clerics.

They claimed responsibility for a bomb that tore through the United Nations’ Abuja headquarters on Aug. 26, killing 23 people and wounding 81. It also has claimed responsibility for a bombing at the nation’s police headquarters that killed two people in June. And in the latest espisode of "holy war", 18 people were killed and 10 wounded in central Nigeria on Sunday night.
What's it all about? Boko Haram's stated aim is to implement a strict version of Sharia law in Nigeria. In that, they are united in spirit and in goals with those who wish to import Sharia (at least for Muslims) into the legal systems if the USA, Britain and Canada. Perhaps this is what Canadian Prime Minister Harper means when he speaks of "Islamicism" being the greatest threat to his country.

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