Islam: The State

[Praetorian]

Just read a Wash. Post article (I'm on my phone, otherwise I'd link it) about Nigerian militant Islamists who are trying to overthrow the government and institute Shariah (sp?) Law.

It's occurs to me that aside from Al-queda and their ilk, we should be very worried about the implications of entire nations becoming conservative Islamic states. We have managed to maintain peace with many Islamic countries (Jordan and the U.A.E. are good examples), but these are wealthy countries with a lot to lose from a conflict with the western world. What will become of impoverished areas of north Africa if they are radicalized?

I'm not saying we should intervene like we did in Iraq, that was a disaster, but what would you propose if you were a U.N. advisor? Sit by and do nothing? Offer support to the existing government?

[Something completely different]

Conflict between muslim Africa and "Christian" Africa has been going on for centuries accross the entire region called the sahel.

We are just not aware about it because the media doesnt report on it, and we dont learn much about African history.

Did you know that in medieval Africa, Etheopia was a gigantic christian empire which at one point even attempted to conquer the arab peninsual and claim mecca for christians?

[Praetorian]

Wow, no I didn't. It is a shame that I don't know more about African history...my knowledge is pretty limited to Egypt and Alexandria, with a smattering of European pioneer history.

It is of concern to me that this kind of conflict still exists when the technology to destroy the planet is available. How long before Iran's nuclear program is gone and we're hearing about the Nigerian program?

[Something completely different]

well. South Africa was the first and only african nation to ver develope a nuclear arsenal (during appartheit)
But it was also the first ever nation to completly destroy it`s nuclear arsenal (after apartheit)

It is wrong to see Africa in such black and white terms.
Nigeria has a north south devide, the mayority of the population is christian and lives in the south, the rest muslim and lives in the north - the goverment is christian and amongst the corruptest in the world. Farmers accross the land have been driven of their land for oil companies. Islamism simply krept into this situation to profit from the dispair. But an islamic state is unlikely, especialy with the majority of the population being christian.