Sharia, literally “the path to the watering hole,” governs all of life.  When it is applied as state law, it attempts to legislate morality and compel adherence to Islam.

Far from the life-giving image its name calls to mind, Sharia attempts to legislate the moral activity of its adherents and punishes them harshly for offenses.

Christians face additional challenges from the state-sponsored religious law.  They are automatically considered second class citizens.  Sharia dictates that:

• Christians may not attempt to convert a Muslim, and leaving the Islamic faith is a crime punishable by death.
• Christians may not build or repair churches, even when existing ones are burned down.
• Christians are unable to advance in their careers, if they are able to hold a job at all.
• Government and educational positions are generally denied to Christians.
• It is very difficult for a Christian to gain admission to institutions of higher education.

Many Islamic areas of Nigeria have Sharia enforcers.  Some are sanctioned by the local government.  Other more extreme groups seek to create pure Islamic states by violence.  Groups of young men will attack Christians, beating, killing, and burning in the name of  Allah.