Christians Fear New Muslim President Will Erode Religious Liberty

Christians worry persecution in mostly Islamic northern Nigeria will increase following the election of Musa Yar' Adua, a Muslim, as president. Church leaders are concerned Yar' Adua will aggravate existing problems for Christians in the region. "The election of Yar' Adua will aggravate the problems of Christians in northern Nigeria. Our fear is that under a Muslim president, religious liberty will be eroded," Rev. Polit told Compass. "As governor of Katsina state in northern Nigeria, Yar'Aduna imposed Shariah (Islamic) law and presided over a system of deliberate denial of land for building churches, as well as government agencies that arbitrarily closed some churches," Compass reported. Pray God encourages Christians to continue standing for him in the midst of persecution and uncertainty. Psalm 32:7, Psalms 91:14