Irreligion in Nigeria

Irreligion in Nigeria is, according to Gallup, measured at two percent of the population.[1] Leo Igwe is one of the few prominent atheists in Nigeria.[2] As in many parts of Africa, there is a great amount of stigma attached to being an atheist.[3][4]

A 2010 poll by Pew Research Center showed that 51% of Nigerian Muslims agree with death penalty for leaving Islam.[5] In some parts of Nigeria, there are even apostasy laws.[6]

Case of Mubarak Bala

Mubarak Bala, a Nigerian atheist, was forcibly committed to a psychiatric institution in Kano for eighteen days in 2014, where he was forcibly drugged. One doctor suggested there was nothing wrong with Bala but a second doctor suggested a personality disorder, he said, "My dear, you need a God, even in Japan, they have a God, no one should live without God, those that do, are all psychologically ill, denying the biblical account of Adam and Eve is delusion, denial of history..". The International Humanist and Ethical Union has taken up the case and feels Bala's Human rights were violated.[7][8] "The real reason for this outrageous and inhumane action is because Mubarak has renounced Islam and has openly declared himself to be an atheist." [9] On 4 July 2014, the BBC reported that Bala had been released from hospital in conjunction with a doctors' strike, and was seeking reconciliation with his family. It was not yet clear if he would remain in Northern Nigeria, due to death threats.[10]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Global Index of Religiosity and Atheism" (PDF). Gallup. Retrieved 2012-07-25.
  2. ↑ "The case for atheism". Vanguard. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
  3. ↑ "Atheism in Nigeria". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 2013-07-25.
  4. ↑ "No country for Nigerian ‘unbelievers’". The Punch. Retrieved 2013-12-17.
  5. ↑ "Muslim Publics Divided on Hamas and Hezbollah" (PDF). Pewglobal.org. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
  6. ↑ "Laws Penalizing Blasphemy, Apostasy and Defamation of Religion are Widespread | Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project". Pewforum.org. 2012-11-21. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
  7. ↑ Nigeria atheist Bala 'deemed mentally ill in Kano state'
  8. ↑ Nigerian man detained in mental institute in Kano 'because he renounced Islam'
  9. ↑ "Nigerian atheist forced into mental hospital for rejecting Islam". Nigeria Sun. Retrieved 27 June 2014.
  10. ↑ "Nigeria atheist Bala freed from Kano psychiatric hospital". BBC News. 2014-07-04. Retrieved 2014-07-04.


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