When Hatred Crosses the Border

Terrorists do not allow their goals to be defined by national borders.  To them, they are no more than lines drawn on a map.  Abdou and his wife Halima learned this lesson.  The two are citizens of Niger, and it was last in the Spring of 2021 that Abdou learned Jihadist militants had crossed over the border from Mali & launched targeted massacres against Christians.  Jihadists identified Christians by looking for those who wore crosses.  When Abdou learned about this, he chose not to hide his faith, but to proclaim it.  He fastened his own cross necklace and began to wear it.  One of his daughters asked why Abdou chose to do this, knowing that it was placing him in grave danger.  Abdou said to her "If I have to die, I want to die with a cross hanging from my neck."  Three days later, on the final day of Ramadan in 2021, this prophecy was fulfilled.  

On May 12, 2021, 18 Jihadist militants rode in on motorcycles and attacked their village.  The militants entered the local church, stripped out all of the Bibles and Hymnals, then took them outside & set them on fire.  As the militants began attacking the village Christians, Abdou rushed to aid one of his neighbors, only to be caught and shot by the militants.  Abdou and four other Christians were killed in the attack.  The following month, on June 22, the militants returned and again targeted Christians as well as Muslims who had friendly relations with the Christian community, such those who were married to Christian women.  

Halima Mourns the Loss of her Husband

The 40 Christian families who lived in this village are now scattered across the region, many of which are now living in camps for displaced people.  Many cannot return to their village.  Even if the Jihadists are kept out there are no crops to harvest as farmers were unable to grow their crops due to the ongoing attacks, and on top of that the Jihadists stole much of their livestock.  The families have received aid from International organizations and the families are praying for peace in the region, many are even praying for their attackers, following the command of Jesus to love our enemies and pray for our persecutors.  They are determined to continue following the ways of Jesus despite the tragedy that they've endured.  

Sources: 

"When Hate Crosses the Border."  Voice of the Martyrs.  March 2022.


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