Christian, Muslim Aid Groups Say Mission is the Same in Niger
As aid to Niger has been increasing in recent weeks, Christian and Muslim organizations in the predominantly Muslim nation have been united in carrying out the urgent humanitarian mission, which aims to help more than 3.5 million people.
As aid to Niger has been increasing in recent weeks, Christian and Muslim organizations in the predominantly Muslim nation have been united in carrying out the urgent humanitarian mission, which aims to help more than 3.5 million people.
Agencies such as World Vision and Christian Aid have been working side by side with Muslim-based charities on the front lines of the hunger battle. One group called the Center for Muslims in Africa, that is supported by the Kuwaiti government, has been working in Niger since 1986.
The group has helped to maintain peace in Niger, which is 95 percent Muslim. Neighboring Nigeria, which is much more pluralistic often sees sees violence between different faith groups.
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"What we are doing here is purely humanitarian ... I came to save lives," said Bishir Ismael Brahim of the Center for Muslims in Africa
NIger's evangelicals agree that the mission is the same.
"There is no rivalry between the two communities," Abdou Laouali, permanent secretary of the 250-member Evangelical Church of the Republic of Niger told the Associated Press. "We are working toward the same objective."
The United Nations, which is coordinating a large portion of the aid being distributed has been working together with both Islamic groups through its World Food Program and UNICEF, a children's humanitarian group.
Tearfund, a UK-based Christian humanitarian group which has been working with local aid partners, notes that the situation is urgent.
