Do not ignore religious aspect of Boko Haram terrorism, says Nigerian cardinal
January 29, 2014
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Abuja (Agenzia Fides) - "The government has spent billions to purchase all kinds of gadgets. No matter the amount of money spent it cannot solve the problem of security", said His Eminence
Cardinal John Onaiyekan of Abuja has advised the Nigerian government against the belief that military actions alone will eliminate the threat of the Boko Haram terrorist group, the Fides news service reports.
Speaking at a press conference about new attacks by Boko Haram, the cardinal said that Nigerians must try to understand the mentality of the terrorists, and especially their religious motivations. “They carry out their activities shouting ‘Allah Akbar,’” the cardinal observed. “We are wasting a lot of time if we do not recognize and do not address the religious aspect.”
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Posted by: Jason C. -
Jan. 29, 2014 4:49 PM ET USA
Had a long talk with a Nigerian Catholic about this situation. His opinion was similar to the Cardinal's, that Nigeria's terrorism problems have a religious component. But he added that, like many "religious" conflicts, it is really a political problem with those in power (and responsible for instigating the violence) either using religion as a pretext or as a convenient ally.
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Posted by: jg23753479 -
Jan. 29, 2014 4:24 PM ET USA
Amen, Cardinal Onaiyekan! Finally we hear straightforward common sense concerning this matter from the mouth of a Catholic prelate! The source of this and much other violence in the world today lies within the pages of the Koran and the explanatory Hadith. It is there, and not in the minds of postulated "fanatics", that the violence and cruelty associated with Islam have their genesis.
