An Atheist’s Arrest in Nigeria Prompts Attacks on Nonbelievers

Religiously unaffiliated persons, or nonbelievers, in northern Nigeria, say threats and attacks have worsened since Mubarak Bala, the leader of the Humanist Association of Nigeria, a local chapter of Humanists International, a global body focused on promoting "dignified and fulfilling life" for humanity, was jailed for blasphemy against the religion of Islam last year. Nonbelievers say they have been treated as second-class citizens, where the majority are religious. The Associated Press spoke to seven nonbelievers to document their experiences. Most spoke anonymously and in secret locations over concerns for their safety. "It has not been easy. I have faced a lot of challenges," said an interviewee from Geshua, Nigeria. "One of them is people can't really understand the fact that an entire human being, will just wake up and say he or she doesn't believe in God." The interviewee requested anonymity for fear of retaliation because he identifies as an atheist.