Christianity in Niger was brought with French colonial institutions, and its adherents include local believers from the educated, the elite, and colonial families, as well as immigrants from neighboring coastal countries, particularly Benin, Togo, and Ghana.[1]
Demographics
editA survey in 2020 showed that Christians make up 0.24% of the population, evenly split between Catholics, Protestants and other denominations.[2]
In 2007, Christians were mainly present in the areas of Maradi, Dogondoutchi, Niamey and other urban centers with expatriate populations.[1]
The first Catholic mission was founded in 1931, while the first Protestant missionaries came to Zinder in 1924 and to Tibiri a few years later. In the late 1970s there were some 12,000 Catholic and 3,000 Protestant converts in Niger, with the remaining Christian population made up of foreigners.[3] A 2015 study estimates some 4,500 Christians came from a Muslim background residing in Niger.[4]
Persecution
editIn January 2015, churches and Christian-owned shops were targeted in protests over the publications of the Charlie Hebdo issue No. 1178 in France. The publication sparked riots in the Nigerien cities of Zinder,[5] Maradi and Gouré,[6][7] which resulted in attacks on churches, Christian-owned shops and a French cultural center. Muslim crowds demonstrating against Muhammad's depiction attacked and set alight French businesses and churches with incendiary devices in Niamey.[8] According to President Mahamadou Issoufou, at least ten people were killed over two days of protests.[9]
In 2023, the country was ranked as the 28th worst place in the world to be a Christian by Open Doors.[10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b International Religious Freedom Report 2010: Niger. United States Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (November 17, 2010). This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ World Religions Database at the ARDA website, retrieved 2023-08-08
- ^ James Decalo. Historical Dictionary of Niger. Scarecrow Press/ Metuchen. NJ — London (1979) ISBN 0-8108-1229-0 pp. 156-7, 193-4.
- ^ Johnstone, Patrick; Miller, Duane Alexander (2015). "Believers in Christ from a Muslim Background: A Global Census". IJRR. 11: 14. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
- ^ BBC: Charlie Hebdo: 'Four dead' in Niger protest
- ^ Reuters: Five killed in second day of Charlie Hebdo protests in Niger
- ^ The Guardian: Niger rioters torch churches and attack French firms in Charlie Hebdo protest
- ^ BBC: Charlie Hebdo: Niger protesters set churches on fire
- ^ Gul, Ayaz (17 January 2015). "Anti-'Charlie Hebdo' Violence Spreads; Death Toll at 10 in Niger". VOANews.com. VOA News. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
- ^ Open Doors, retrieved 2023-08-08