Nigerian knifed for not keeping Ramadan fast

Sunday, June 26, 2016

By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) - A Christian was stabbed in Kaduna state, Nigeria, this month just because he was not participating in the annual Ramadan fast.

According to Barnabas Aid, Francis Olopko, a 41 year old carpenter, was eating at his workplace in Kakuri when a group of Muslim youths approached him.

"As I was eating, about six boys came to me and asked me whether I am a Muslim or a Christian, but I did not answer them," said Olopko. "They asked me why I was not fasting and it was at that point that I told them that I am not a Muslim."

After one of the Muslims slapped Olopko, he was surrounded by the other youths who began kicking and stabbing him.

The Governor of Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai, visited Olopko in the hospital and promised that his administration would not tolerate any coercion to compel others to embrace Islamic beliefs.

"Nigeria is a free country and that means no imposition of faith or religious practices on anyone," he said.

Yet actions always speak louder than words.