Boko Haram – Hausa for “Western Influence is sin”

And that would include white faces.

Back in 1975 or thereabouts Bernard Lewis wrote an essay of the basic objections of Muslims. The essay still stands as a classic and comes up easily on Google. The answer he gives is western influence.

Boko Haram is a militant group whose obvious object is to eradicate western influence. So far its main place of operation has been Bauchi State, Nigeria. Their weapons in this culture war – guns.

The Anglican Bishop of Bauchi, the Rt. Rev. Musa Tula, has expressed the fear that every Muslim home in his state may possess weapons for the time of uprising against the Christians.

Last July they led an uprising there that ended up taking over 500 lives. Most were of their own sect.

All they needed was a very small spark, which was provided for them when a small independent church refused parking to Muslims who used their parking lot for their Friday prayers. There was something before this refusal that I do not know. Anyhow, when the church barred the parking lot, the Boko Haram ignited the uprising.

After the fighting ended, in addition to the hundreds killed, several of their leaders were arrested. Two of them, the leader and the second in command, were killed by the police “while trying to escape.”

Last week the Boko Haram stormed the prison in Bauchi in order to release their members who had been there since the fighting of last year. In the ensuing battle, five people were killed, the prison was burned down, and the Boko Haram prisoners escaped.

When I heard Bishop Inyom in conversation with Bp. Tula say the words, “Boko Haram”, I knew there was trouble ahead for my trip the next day to Bauchi State.