[Mshindi]

The riots in Nigeria that have arisen because an article offended muslims.... Is this a sign of what to expect in Kenya? Or is this to be explained away with statements such as "all religions have their bad sides"? Why do our muslim brother/sisters always interpret those who offend them to be Christian engineered? For instance we read of muslim extremists bursting into a church in Pakistan and spraying the christian faithfuls into smithereens because America invaded Afganistan. Then we read of the muslim militia hijacking christian nuns and raping them in the Philipines because they are opposed to the government of the day. What has christianity got to do with Muslim problems? Or is it Christianity that is the main problem to the cause of Islam?. Let those who know tell us. We just can't keep quiet when those who are supposed to be promoting peace among humanity (the Muslims and Christians) go about butchering each other in the name of religion.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/2501115.stm

Miss World: Was it right to quit Nigeria?


The organisers of the Miss World beauty contest have abandoned plans to hold it in the Nigerian capital Abuja after riots by Muslim youths. It will now be held in London on 7 December.
More than 100 people were killed in the riots in the city of Kaduna, when protesting Muslim youths demanded that the competition be cancelled.

Muslim groups said the contest was un-Islamic and were angry that contestants had begun their programme of events during the holy month of Ramadan.

Western sensibilities have been offended by a Sharia court's sentence of death by stoning against Amina Lawal, a woman convicted of adultery.

The Nigerian Government has moved to calm fears by promising it will not allow any Nigerian to be stoned to death.

Was religiously-divided Nigeria the wrong venue for the Miss World competition? Or are the country's Muslims wrong to see the contest as an affront to their religion? Are you there? Have you witnessed the violence?



The idea of Nigeria hosting this nudity pageant is of course to humiliate the Muslims, as this is an era when the whole world turns against Islam and the values it carries. It appears all the people freely breathing the air provided by Allah, have values they wish to cherish and rights to uphold, except the Muslims. They are always humiliated, and when they claim their rights they are terrorists and violent people. I don't condone violence and I prefer a more better and peaceful way of treating issues of this nature, but do our governments realise anything to be serious before the occurrence of violence? We the women folk should tell the world that we are not in this world to be traded with and always be at the 'mercy' of those unscrupulous advertising corporations.
Sakina Muhd, Abuja, Nigeria

I am appalled at sad loss of life in Nigeria. This conflict has nothing to do with religion and all to do with politics. As a practising Muslim, I see no serious problem in someone making an insensitive comment about the religion or our Prophet, may peace and blessings be upon him, and then realising mistake and apologising. In any event, there is no room for random killings which are totally abhorrent and against teachings of Islam and Christianity. Sooner people live with each other as people and respect humanity, sooner we can be called humans.
Shabir Ahmed, Exeter UK



They should have gone ahead for the sake of Nigeria

Sam Egwu
The response of moving the pageant to London, is not in the interest of Nigeria as the organisers claim. It will do irreparable damage to the country. They were unwise to have chosen Nigeria but having done so, they should have stuck by it. The best response of people with moral fibre, was to reach out with humility to the Muslim people, modify the contest (perhaps with veils) to suit religious sensibilities. They should have gone ahead for the sake of Nigeria and donated the charity proceeds this year to the families of the victims of the Kaduna riots. They had the opportunity to help Nigeria negotiate a new image, and Nigerians would have been eternally grateful, but their shallowness and insensitivity has shown clearly. I will not watch it on telly and urge others to avoid it.
Sam Egwu

I suspect that the riots are systematic of a deeper tension within Nigeria, rather then one the Miss World contest. The continued on-going of many monetary scams is reflective of a country whose political and social structures are meeting only the needs of an elite.
barry b, UK

Nigeria has just lost her chance to host the Football World Cup in 2008.
Ernest Merrill, Antigua & Barbuda



Now I can't see any international event being held in Nigeria.

Linda, Kaduna, Nigeria
I am from Kaduna, Nigeria and am tired of people calling us uncivilized just because they do not understand our culture. Its even worse when a fellow Nigerian calls us uncivilized. I am a Christian and am angry about how this whole issue was handled. I feel betrayed because the Muslims have won again. The fact is Nigeria is a secular state and I don't think Muslims should dictate what happens in the country. Fine, an article was printed in the papers, what ever happened to freedom of speech? Did the church write the article? If an article was written against Jesus, I am very sure it would have been resolved on a peaceful note. My problem is Muslims always claim that their religion is peaceful but then they are so violent. In my opinion, this was the only chance Nigeria had to put herself on the map, now I can't see any international event being held in Nigeria. We have been failed.
Linda, Kaduna, Nigeria

Don't let the people of the world see Nigeria through the eye's of this evil we are seeing on our TV screen's. This is not the way the majority of Nigerian people behave. Having lived in Nigeria for many years I found the Nigerian's to be good people, this is not the way most Nigerian's want the world to see their country.
Linda, Mexico

The decision to cancel the beauty pageant show in Nigeria is not primarily because Muslim religious followers in Nigeria are against the show. The riots, which led to the decision to cancel the show, was sparked off by irresponsible journalism. How on earth could an educated editor allow such an offensive portion (referring to Prophet Mohammed) in his article to go out without expecting what we are all seeing in a religiously divided and polarized country, Nigeria? The journalist (who actually wrote the offensive article) and the editor who failed in his unique duty of editing, should all be reprimanded for setting this up. Certainly, Nigeria has not only lost another opportunity to showcase its cultural heritage as a people, but also lost another golden opportunity to align itself with the rest of the civilized world.
Nse-Obong Umana, Houston, USA

I commend the pageant organisers for moving the event to London, and I hope and pray that the Muslims there won't start another "war". The Muslims as a people must always remember that the whole world cannot go by their rules. I just find this intolerance unacceptable, and if the world is to be a better place for everyone, then Muslims surely need to leave Christians and their "unholy" events alone. If one feels the Miss World is such a useless event, then don't take part and don't watch it!! Isn't it that simple, rather than to kill and maim innocent people?
Chipo G, Harare, Zimbabwe

How could it not be right to pull out? The beauty contest set off Muslim riots in which at least 100 persons were murdered. Keeping the contest there would have led to more killings. In any case, no international event, whether beauty contest, athletic games, or political summit meeting, belongs in a country so barbaric that they stone adulterers to death.
James, Helena, Montana, USA



Nigeria has once again failed us all.

Harry, USA
I am not surprised to read about the riots. I was born in Nigeria and I grew up in Kaduna. In fact, the people there - both the Muslims and Christians - are very uncivilized. The blame is not be placed on the Muslims only, the so called Christians are also responsible in the balance of peace in that region. Nigeria has once again failed us all.
Harry, Atlanta, USA

Clearly the safety of the participants is overrides all other considerations. It was wise to stop it being held in Nigeria. Clearly the population needs to seek out how they intend to live together before they become fit enough to host any international events in the future. Nigeria has been weighed in the balance and found wanting...
Bill Van Duyn, Eastern Passage Canada

A beauty pageant and a predominantly Muslim population seem like an oil-water mix. With all we're currently learning about Islam, how could a planning committee seriously expect such a community to tolerate such an event? Although the Nigerian people are responsible for the primal violence, the Pageant bears the responsibility for the clash of cultures. It should never have happened.
Al Chinchar, Houston, USA

Being a Muslim myself, I am ashamed that my co-religionists would act in such an intolerant way. Though I do not agree with the Miss World pageant myself (I find it to be a sexist anachronism), I do not feel that it is every Muslim's religious obligation to police those around us, Muslim or non-Muslim, and force them to abide by one strict interpretation of the faith. Religion is personal, and if you judge someone else's action to be impious then you may consciously refrain from taking part. Muslims continuously acting this way is bad enough, but educated Muslims in the West blindly trying to defend such ignorant actions is disgraceful.
Tariq Fancy, New York, USA



I can't sleep at night.

Joy Ngakwe, Abuja, Nigeria
I come from the Christian East, but I live in the heart of Abuja. Last night, my neighbours and I had to keep a vigil because we didn't want to be slaughtered in the night by our Muslim "brothers". How every issue in Northern Nigeria acquires a religious hue I'll never know. A Newspaper publishes an insensitive article, four churches get burnt and I, as a Christian can't walk the streets in the North and I can't sleep at night. Hosting the Miss World Contest was a once in a lifetime opportunity to put Nigeria on the map of the world and in my opinion, should not have been moved.
Joy Ngakwe, Abuja, Nigeria

The organizers of Mis World beauty contest are not foolish. Nigeria was intentionally chosen for the Miss world beauty contest in order to humiliate the Muslims of Nigeria. The Muslim world is a sleeping Lion, but if the west keeps antagonizing it I am afraid it will wake up and a lot of people will be hurt.
Ali M, San Diego, CA

Having worked in Afghanistan under the Taliban and currently in Aceh, Indonesia, which is also strongly conservative Muslim I am not overly sympathetic to militant Islam, or any other militancy for that, as invariably it is the common people who suffer. At the same time however I have to say that the organisers of the pageant, by picking Nigeria as the host country, have shown crass insensitivity to local religious views.
Gavin MacMillan, Jakarta, Indonesia

The riots in Nigeria against Miss World should be condemned. For the Miss World organisers to say it has nothing to do with the contest is insensitive. The newspaper article was merely the spark that exploded the resentment created by the attitudes of the contestants to the Sharia Judgement on Amina Lawal. I do not want anybody stoned, but the idea of a beauty pageant condemning deeply held religious beliefs, rather than appealing for change, is naive. There was no way the Muslim authorities would have let it go unchallenged after their most cherished ideals were rubbished internationally. They needed a face saving solution.
Sam Egwu, London, UK



To narrow one woman out of millions is wrong

Elise, California, USA
I come from a state that is very liberal in their thinking and views. But I also come from a Christian family with Christian values. God created us to be equal. Every woman is beautiful and to narrow one out of millions and say she is more beautiful than the others is, I believe, wrong. It lays a label that causes other woman to feel they are less than valuable which is far from the truth.
Elise, California, USA

I am mostly appalled by the hostile public opinion about anything to do with this country. Especially the unbalanced opinions of many Westerners, who have never set one foot in this massive continent, let alone visit Nigeria. They do not understand the culture, and yet they shoot e-opinions from the hip. I suggest they either come and see for themselves how generally very friendly, sociable and God abiding the people of Nigeria. I feel safer in Port Harcourt in the middle of the night after visiting some of the excellent and vibrant live music places than at 8pm in Soho in London, any evening.
D Min, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Miss World is still a total joke, nobody is interested in it. The only public interest here is "how much will the entrants annoy the staunch locals".
Gary Chiles, New Zealand

Being a Nigerian and a non-Muslim, it pains me to see my fellow countrymen acting in such an unruly manner. I couldn't care less about the Miss World contest.
Odikpo E, Cleveland, USA



The West should admit that it is not happy to see this contest staged in Nigeria

Y Olatatunbosun, Ibadan, Nigeria
First of all, I would like to say that I am shocked at the sensational headlines concerning the riots on Kaduna. The Muslims were protesting about references to Prophet Mohammed, not against the Miss World contest. The West should admit that it is not happy to see this contest staged in Nigeria and jump at any excuse to support their cause.
Y Olatatunbosun, Ibadan, Nigeria

Nigeria is a secular country. If the Muslims are complaining my question is: what percentage of the Nigerian population is Muslim? What does the Nigerian constitution say about the religious state of Nigeria? What percentage of the contestants are Muslim? I strongly feel these questions need to be addressed and serious consideration should be given to the contents of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. All this noise is by a set of people who declare they stand for peace yet use every available opportunity to cause trouble. It's unfortunate. Don't however think the competition should be stopped.
Hawa Bobo-Bello, Abuja, Nigeria

All other issues aside, who in heaven's name was responsible for staging this inflammatory event in a city where thousands have died as a result of the prevailing religious divide? This seems the ultimate in corruption to me - who's making the money here?
Chris, Baton Rouge, USA



Nigeria needs this event to help improve its image internationally

N Bolly, Bogota, Colombia
Yes, Nigeria should host the event. That part of Nigeria is known for rioting at the slightest provocation of any sort. And who said Nigerians don't want the contest to be held in their country? Last year the press reported the enthusiastic reaction of Nigerians flooding the internet to vote for Miss Nigeria to win the competition. Nigeria needs this event to help improve its image internationally. Think how it will boost tourism, job creation and so on.
N Bolly, Bogota, Colombia

The part of Nigeria where the riot is being staged is an historic hot spot for such an activity. It does not reflect the entire sentiment and emotion of the general Nigerian people.
K.T, Lagos, Nigeria


Being a Muslim I find it extremely offensive that our beloved Prophets name is involved in this totally frivolous activity! I'm not surprised at the reaction of the Muslim youths. Any religious community would have protested.
Ali L, London, UK


The purpose of "Miss World" is profit and therefore, the promoters will find a way to justify compromising morality by showing complete disrespect for the deeply held values of others. Whether you are a Christian, a Muslim or a Jew, there is only one planet and we should all be praying that we can find a way to get along with other before it's too late. I put peace ahead of a beauty contest.
Beth Strachan, Vancouver, Canada

I can't believe that they have not cancelled the event!. We have to comprehend that a high percentage of Nigeria's population is opposed to such type of event, even if we disagree with their hatred and violence, we need to respect their ways a little. If they proceed with the event, after more than 50 people have died, the Miss World pageant will be viewed as a participant in these tragic events that are happening in Nigeria. Chart a plane and send the bimbos to Venezuela where they glorify this type of degrading events!
Agustin Yerovi, Ecuador


Isn't it time that organizers admit that it was, to put it mildly, a mistake to even consider Nigeria as an appropriate venue for a western-style beauty pageant? Were organizers offered significant financial incentives to hold the contest in Nigeria?
Sharon Langworthy, Chicago, IL USA


I'm no fan of radical religion, but finally, here is something Muslims and Christians can agree on: women prancing around on a stage showing off their bodies for petty judgement is offensive. Come on, it's not like it's purely a talent contest with all the women in tasteful evening gowns playing concertos.
Adrienne, USA


Civil disobedience is one matter, but riots and senseless murder are another altogether. To be disgruntled by something that one does not agree with is acceptable, but to behave in such an abominable manner is completely ridiculous.
Aaron Klassen, Tucson, AZ, United States


The Miss World Contest should be moved based on the violence already confronting the people of Nigeria. I do not fault the women of the Miss World contest, but it was thoughtless of those in charge of the timing. Ramadan is a very important and serious event for Muslims and should not be taken lightly by Non-Muslims. Lets avoid violence where we can.
Pamela Dawkins, Strong, AR USA


With the Red Cross reporting 50 deaths in the wake of riots stemming from religious friction, the prudent course would be to move to another venue. If one life can be saved by reducing tensions, a timely rescheduling is undoubtedly the answer.
Chris, US

The whole idea of beauty contest should be scrapped. It just goes to show how advertising companies manipulate women as cheap commodities to be paraded naked in public.
Ousman, USA


I couldn't care less about the Miss World Contest or Nigeria for matter. But pray tell, is there any form of Western human endeavour, activity or thought that doesn't cause "affront" to Muslims?
Peter C. Kohler, Washington DC USA


I can't say I'm a big fan of such competitions I do think its rather absurd that the Islamic community is taking it so hard, surely tolerance of varying religious beliefs should go both ways. Why shouldn't non Muslims have the right to do things during Ramadan, no one is forcing the Muslims to attend Miss World, they don't even have to talk about it if they don't want to.
Andrew Ferguson, UK


I see the religion of peace and tolerance is at it again.
Neill Courtney, Ardmore, Oklahoma (ex UK)


Yes it should go ahead but I think there are more enlightened countries to hold it in. The place of women in a Muslim society is well documented and with the wave of 'fundamentalism' sweeping the world I would have chosen a more hospitable country.
John, France


People really need to lighten up. Killing and rioting over a stupid beauty pageant? If it weren't so serious and tragic, it would be hilarious. Those who don't approve of beauty pageants don't have to participate or watch. It's that simple.
Shawn, Washington, DC, USA



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Miss World row
Kaduna's tensions
Political beauty contest
Stoning woman's plea


Analysis
Nation divided
Sharia's many faces
Firebrand Muslims


Features
Hands-on sentence
Violence in Kaduna
Death row
First execution

BACKGROUND

President Obasanjo
Country profile
Timeline


See also:


21 Nov 02 | Africa
Kaduna: A divided city

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