Protest Charlie Hebdo in Niger, the church burned

The Church and the French Cultural Center is a target for protesters

At least three people were killed and six churches were attacked in Niger in protest against the French magazine Charlie Hebdo published cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad's picture.


The protests began outside the grand mosque Niamey and have been spread to several areas of the country, a day after five people were killed in the city of Zinder Niger.

Demonstration in Niger, a former French colony, followed by hundreds of people who gathered outside the grand mosque Niamey shouted "Allahu Akbar".

Aside from churches, other buildings belonging to non-Muslims also became a target, such as bars, hotels and offices.

Father Zakaria So, one of the leaders of the church that burned in Niamey, said he was holding a meeting with the elders of the church when he heard of the attacks.

'I'm in a hurry and told my colleagues in the Church to bring their families to a place, "he told the BBC World Service." I brought the family sayakeluar of the place, when I returned I found everything had been exhausted. There was nothing left in my house and also in the church. "

Do not understand Islam

Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou has condemned the violence and called for citizens to remain calm.

The destruction done to the building owned by Christians in Niger

Mahamadou Issoufou, was one of the leaders of African countries that join together leaders of other countries to take action unity in Paris after the attack on Charlie Hebdo.

"They were looting the place of worship, the stigmatization and kill you one area that Christian ... did not understand about Islam," he said after the violence on Saturday (18/01).

In a demonstration last Friday in the city of Zinder, protesters targeted shops owned by Christians and the French Cultural Center.

In Somalia, the protesters holding the words "I am a Muslim and I love the Prophet '

Last week, gunmen stormed the offices of Charlie Hebdo in Paris, killing 12 people.

Cover magazine printed after the attack featuring cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad brought the words "Say Charlie", sold seven million copies, whereas before only 60,000 each print.

Many Muslims consider a prophet drawing action attacking. Protests occurred in a number of countries such as Sudan, Pakistan, Algeria, and Somalia.

News Source: BBC