Niger
Source of persecution: Islamic extremism
More than 98 per cent of the population are Muslims and hostility comes more from society than from the government. Historically, Islam in West Africa has been moderate, but in the last 20 years, dozens of Islamic associations have emerged, including the Izala movement which aims to restrict the freedom of ‘deviant Muslims’ and minority religions like Christianity. Islamic terrorist groups like Boko Haram, which are active in Nigeria, sometimes spill over into Niger.
Pray:
- For new believers, who face opposition to their faith from parents and relatives
- That Christians will be strengthened. At the moment, churches don't seem prepared for higher pressure from extremist Islam
- That the influence of Islamic pressure groups like Izala and Tariqa will wane