Claire-commentary

__INTERVIEWER__: So tell me, what is religion in Nigeria?

__CLAIRE__: Well, there are three main religious groups in Nigeria. They are Islam, Christian, and Tradition or Indigenous religious groups. Currently the most wide-spread religion in Nigeria is Islam. There are approximately 70-80 million people there practicing this religion. Islam came to Nigeria long before Christianity, in the 11th century, starting in the East and slowly moved west. The Sultan of Sokoto and the emirs are currently the hierarchy of this practice.

__INTERVEIWER:__ So what kind of Islamic movements are there in Nigeria?

__CLAIRE:__ The main Islamic movements in Nigeria are NASFAT, which focuses on the questions of piety and ethics, HEZBOLLAH, which stands for Which focuses on fighting to liberate occupied territory, ANSAR-UD-DEEN, which was established for the purpose of the educational development of Muslims and to enhance the moral and social development, and common sects like the Boko Haram. The hierarchy of the Islamic Church are the emirs and the Sultan of Sokoto.

__INTERVIEWER:__ Tell me about these sects.

__CLAIRE:__ Well, most sects are in the Northern parts of Nigeria. Most of these movements become extremists movements. The Boko Haram is the most infamous sect.

__INTERVIEWER:__ What is the Boko Haram?

__CLAIRE:__ The Boko Haram is an extremist group stationed in the Northern Parts of Nigeria. They are known as the Nigerian Al-Queda. They commonly terrorize Christian groups by bombing.



__(WHILE PICTURES ARE RUNNING)__

__NARRATOR:__ The group became known in 2009 but has been active since 2002. The group formed in the town of Maiduguri. The name Boko translates into “western education” and the name “Haram” literally translates into “sin”. The Boko Haram has been committing acts of violence since 2002, but carried out its first terrorist in January of 2010. The Boko Haram’s said objective is to change the educational system and reject democracy.



__NARRATOR:__ The group was started by Mohammed Yusuf. He died while in Police Custody. The new leader is unknown. Boko Haram is considered to be a major terrorist threat. The Boko Haram is said to be a major terrorist threat in the North East and South west of Nigeria.



__INTERVIEWER:__ So tell me about Christianity in Nigeria.

__CLAIRE:__ Christianity is the traditional religion in the Southern parts of Nigeria. Missionaries introduced Christianity to Nigeria from Europe.

__INTERVIEWER:__ What different types of Christian Churches are there in Nigeria?

__CLAIRE:__ The types of Churches are Anglican, Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, and Methodist.

__INTERVIEWER:__ Where do these people practice their faith?

__CLAIRE:__ Most Christians practice in their homes or underground for fear of the Boko Haram and other peoples who do not like the Christian Church, but there are some public churches in the South.



__INTERVIEWER:__ Tell me about the Traditional/ Indigenous religious groups in Nigeria.

__CLAIRE:__ Officially anyone can practice any religion of his or her choice; it is not accepted culturally to profess indigenous faith, mostly if you are educated. There is no known number to how many people practice indigenous faith. Participation in traditional/indigenous takes place in the West.

__INTERVIEWER:__ What do these people believe?

__CLAIRE:__ Things that are common among these various religions are that people believe in multiple gods, the power and intercession of ancestral spirits, sacrifice, and the need to undergo a rite of passage into the religion to move from different stages of life. Most of these religions have creation stories.