The churches in Niger, 7 months later

More than 70 churches in Niger were attacked and burnt down in January, during the violent demonstrations against French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Now many of these congregations are flourishing.

A day in January, the son of Issa Elhadjkouldjami, a pastor of an evangelical church in the city of Zinder, ran home to tell his father that some neighbors planned to burn their church and home.

The pastor moved his family to the local gendarmerie where he prayed and read the Bible while radical Muslim protestors looted and burned his church, along with their home attached to the building.

“We lost a lot of things”, Issa said. “We were really full of pain. While we're reading the Bible [at the base], we were relieved.”

Even though members of the attacked evangelical church first reacted with retaliation, Issa convinced them to forgive their neighbors. At the outdoor service his church held the next day, more Christians than usual attended to show solidarity.

7 MONTHS LATER…

Seven months later, Issa’s church has been meeting under a temporary roof constructed next to the burned out church. “We hope to rebuild so that we can continue to show the love of Christ”, Issa said.

“We will not stop. We will continue with everything we've got in our heart”, Issa said in a report by Christian relief organisation Samaritan’s Purse.

TWO DAYS OF DESTRUCTION

Sixty churches burned in four hours in Niamey, the capital of Niger. Within two days, the country lost 70 Christian churches. Only 19 cities in Niger had churches in the first place. The country is estimated to be 94% Muslim.

The burnings in Niger were related to the publication in the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo of cartoons portraying Islam’s prophet Mohammed. Imams at local mosques likely incited the riots.

“THEY CAN’T BURN OUR FAITH”

Initially planned as a demonstration, the looting and vandalizing of churches—as well as a missionary school and Christians' homes—did not have the demoralizing effect that the many intended.

“They thought that we will not go back to the services,” said Mahamadou Koche. “But even if they burn the churches, they can't burn what we have already got inside of us”, he said.

Public statements of forgiveness and open dialogue with the mosque showed many Muslims the depth of the Nigerien Christians' commitment to love their neighbors. Some neighbors showed remorse and some accepted Christ.

The churches, now with more members, continue to meet in temporary buildings while reconstruction takes place.

“Rebuilding the church physically will show to the world that we hold on to our faith and we're still Christians”, Mahamadou said.

FORGIVENESS, A “FERTILIZER FOR THE FAITH”

At Boukoki Church in Niamey, pastor Yakaya Sherrif watched while his neighbors destroyed his church building, constructed by missionaries and one of only five churches in 1976. They tore off the roof. They destroyed the library. They were people he knew.

“I do believe somehow that this persecution is a fertilizer for the faith”, he said.

When asked for what prayers he sought most, Yakaya requested strength, not a cessation to persecution. Persecution strengthens Christianity and is part of God's plan.

“We believe that God will continue to grace us with His blessing”, Yakaya said.