Nigeria: November 20, 2002

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  Rioting broke out in the northern Moslem city of Kaduna. The cause was Moslem anger over holding the Miss World contest in the Christian south. The spark for the rioting was an editorial in a newspaper that commented that the Prophet Mohammed would approve of the pageant. The newspapers offices were attacked and burned. Some Moslem religious leaders have been quick to incite violence against any disrespect, real or imagined, against Islam. Corrupt politicians tolerate, or encourage, this as eventually stopping the riots with force (police and troops), demonstrates the politicians power. However, this is a risky business, as sometimes the rioting gets out of control and brings down governments. But that's the way the game is played in Nigeria, where the rule of law is little know. Guns and violence work, though.

 

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