A Nigerian man was set ablaze in the capital Abuja by the supporters of a Muslim cleric over blasphemy charges. This is the second incident in two months after a Christian woman was burnt to death by a mob in May after she was accused of insulting the Prophet Mohammad.

In the Saturday incident, 30-year-old Ahmad Usman, a local vigilante member, was confronted by an angry mob, numbering about 200. They beat, stoned and then set Usman ablaze before police officials intervened.

According to reports, the matter escalated after Usman got into an argument with an unidentified Muslim cleric in the Lugbe area of Abuja.

"The heated argument degenerated into an outbreak of violence that led to the murder and setting ablaze of Ahmad Usman by the enraged mob mobilized by the clergy numbering about two hundred," Josephine Adeh, police spokesperson for Abuja, was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Though Nigeria is a secular nation, some states in the north where the Muslim community is in a majority observe Islamic sharia and have courts that punish those accused of deviating from its practices.

Since the incident, police and ambush teams have been patrolling the area and keeping a tight vigil over any unscrupulous activity. Adeh said normalcy has been restored. No arrests have been made.

Meanwhile, Abuja’s police commissioner on Sunday said the perpetrators will be sanctioned and warned against the use of so called “jungle justice” — taking the law into one’s own hands, reports VOA news.

However, many businesses in the area remained shut Saturday evening over fear that more violence could erupt.

Blasphemy is a sensitive topic in Africa's most populous nation with a delicate balance of Muslim and Christian populations.

Three weeks ago, a mob in northwest Sokoto state killed and burned the body of a Christian student of the Shehu Shagari College over alleged blasphemy.

The incident triggered protests by Christian groups and human rights organizations. Some of the groups called for the authorities to expunge blasphemy from punishable crimes under the Nigerian law, but for now, it remains on the books.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A Nigerian man was set ablaze in the capital Abuja by the supporters of a Muslim cleric over blasphemy charges. This is the second incident in two months after a Christian woman was burnt to death by a mob in May after she was accused of insulting the Prophet Mohammad.

A Nigerian man was set ablaze in the capital Abuja by the supporters of a Muslim cleric over blasphemy charges. This is the second incident in two months after a Christian woman was burnt to death by a mob in May after she was accused of insulting the Prophet Mohammad. In the Saturday incident, 30-year-old Ahmad Usman, a local vigilante member, was confronted by an angry mob, numbering about 200. They beat, stoned and then set Usman ablaze before police officials intervened. According to reports, the matter escalated after Usman got into an argument with an unidentified Muslim cleric in the Lugbe area of Abuja. "The heated argument degenerated into an outbreak of violence that led to the murder and setting ablaze of Ahmad Usman by the enraged mob mobilized by the clergy numbering about two hundred," Josephine Adeh, police spokesperson for Abuja, was quoted as saying by Reuters. Though Nigeria is a secular nation, some states in the north where the Muslim community is in a majority observe Islamic sharia and have courts that punish those accused of deviating from its practices. Since the incident, police and ambush teams have been patrolling the area and keeping a tight vigil over any unscrupulous activity. Adeh said normalcy has been restored. No arrests have been made. Meanwhile, Abuja’s police commissioner on Sunday said the perpetrators will be sanctioned and warned against the use of so called “jungle justice” — taking the law into one’s own hands, reports VOA news. However, many businesses in the area remained shut Saturday evening over fear that more violence could erupt. Blasphemy is a sensitive topic in Africa's most populous nation with a delicate balance of Muslim and Christian populations. Three weeks ago, a mob in northwest Sokoto state killed and burned the body of a Christian student of the Shehu Shagari College over alleged blasphemy. The incident triggered protests by Christian groups and human rights organizations. Some of the groups called for the authorities to expunge blasphemy from punishable crimes under the Nigerian law, but for now, it remains on the books. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Nigerian man burnt to death by supporters of Muslim cleric over blasphemy

Next month, Pope Francis will undertake a historic visit to Iraq. The focus of the visit will be a groundbreaking meeting with Iraq's top Shi'ite Muslim cleric. What do the Christians in Iraq think about the Pope's visit? WION's Palki Sharma brings you a report.

Gravitas: What do Iraq's Christians think about the visit of Pope Francis?

Australia has cancelled the citizenship of an Algerian-born Muslim cleric who was convicted of leading a terrorist cell that planned to bomb a football match in Melbourne in 2005, Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton said on Wednesday.

Abdul Nacer Benbrika is now the first person to be stripped of his citizenship while still in Australia.

"If it`s a person who`s posing a significant terrorist threat to our country, then we`ll do whatever is possible within Australian law to protect Australians," Dutton told reporters in Brisbane.

Benbrika was convicted on three terrorism charges. He was jailed for 15 years for directing a terrorist group, being a member of a terrorist group and possessing material associated with planning of a terrorist act.

Benbrika remains in an Australian prison despite finishing his sentence. Under Australian law Canberra is permitted to detain anyone convicted of terror offences for up to three years after their sentence finishes.

Lawyers for Benbrika have appealed against his ongoing detention. He has 90 days to appeal the cancellation of his visa and return to Algeria.

Under Australian law, a person can only be stripped of their citizenship if they are dual citizens, thereby preventing people from being made stateless.

Australia used the powers in 2019 to strip the citizenship of Neil Prakash, an alleged Islamic State recruiter who is imprisoned in Turkey. Australia argued he was a dual citizen as he also has Fijian citizenship, though Fiji denied the claim - souring the bilateral relationship.

Australia has cancelled the citizenship of an Algerian-born Muslim cleric who was convicted of leading a terrorist cell that planned to bomb a football match in Melbourne in 2005, Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton said on Wednesday.

Australia has cancelled the citizenship of an Algerian-born Muslim cleric who was convicted of leading a terrorist cell that planned to bomb a football match in Melbourne in 2005, Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton said on Wednesday. Abdul Nacer Benbrika is now the first person to be stripped of his citizenship while still in Australia. "If it`s a person who`s posing a significant terrorist threat to our country, then we`ll do whatever is possible within Australian law to protect Australians," Dutton told reporters in Brisbane. Benbrika was convicted on three terrorism charges. He was jailed for 15 years for directing a terrorist group, being a member of a terrorist group and possessing material associated with planning of a terrorist act. Benbrika remains in an Australian prison despite finishing his sentence. Under Australian law Canberra is permitted to detain anyone convicted of terror offences for up to three years after their sentence finishes. Lawyers for Benbrika have appealed against his ongoing detention. He has 90 days to appeal the cancellation of his visa and return to Algeria. Under Australian law, a person can only be stripped of their citizenship if they are dual citizens, thereby preventing people from being made stateless. Australia used the powers in 2019 to strip the citizenship of Neil Prakash, an alleged Islamic State recruiter who is imprisoned in Turkey. Australia argued he was a dual citizen as he also has Fijian citizenship, though Fiji denied the claim - souring the bilateral relationship.

Australia cancels citizenship of Muslim cleric in local first

A Muslim cleric has filed a police complaint against Pakistan's Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry, alleging that he had deliberately violated norms of Islam and Sharia by introducing a moon-sighting calendar.

Chaudhry Sunday launched <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-launches-its-first-ever-moon-sighting-website-222218">Pakistan's first ever moon-sighting website</a> - pakmoonsighting.Pk - in a bid to end controversy over the start of key lunar months that decides the beginning of the holy month of Ramazan and Eid festivals.

Mufti Inamul Haq has filed a complaint with the Secretariat Police Station here, alleging that Chaudhry had deliberately violated norms of Islam and Sharia by introducing a moon-sighting calendar, Dawn reported.

In the complaint, it is stated that the minister had also used derogatory remarks against the religious figures and hurt the sentiments of the masses.

Haq has requested the Secretariat Police to lodge a First Information Report against the minister.

The website features sections such as Islamic calendar for the next five years, a day-to-day lunar calendar against dates from the Gregorian calendar, and the dates on which the first day of every lunar month will fall.

Pakistan has been facing controversies on key religious occasions like start of Ramazan and Eid as religious leader from different regions differ on sighting of the moon.

Chaudhry's plan has been opposed by most of the clerics who insist that sighting of moon with naked eye is essential.&nbsp;

A Muslim cleric has filed a police complaint against Pakistan's Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry, alleging that he had deliberately violated norms of Islam and Sharia by introducing a moon-sighting calendar.

A Muslim cleric has filed a police complaint against Pakistan's Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry, alleging that he had deliberately violated norms of Islam and Sharia by introducing a moon-sighting calendar. Chaudhry Sunday launched Pakistan's first ever moon-sighting website - pakmoonsighting.Pk - in a bid to end controversy over the start of key lunar months that decides the beginning of the holy month of Ramazan and Eid festivals. Mufti Inamul Haq has filed a complaint with the Secretariat Police Station here, alleging that Chaudhry had deliberately violated norms of Islam and Sharia by introducing a moon-sighting calendar, Dawn reported. In the complaint, it is stated that the minister had also used derogatory remarks against the religious figures and hurt the sentiments of the masses. Haq has requested the Secretariat Police to lodge a First Information Report against the minister. The website features sections such as Islamic calendar for the next five years, a day-to-day lunar calendar against dates from the Gregorian calendar, and the dates on which the first day of every lunar month will fall. Pakistan has been facing controversies on key religious occasions like start of Ramazan and Eid as religious leader from different regions differ on sighting of the moon. Chaudhry's plan has been opposed by most of the clerics who insist that sighting of moon with naked eye is essential.

Cleric files police complaint against Pakistan minister over moon-sighting website

A 47-year old Muslim cleric wanted by the Sri Lankan security forces for using social media platform to air extremist views has been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport, a media report said.

The cleric, whose identity has not been disclosed, was wanted for releasing videos in a manner that harms reconciliation in the country and has been remanded till May 14, the Daily Mirror reported.

The suspect, a resident of Vavuniya, was arrested on Saturday at the airport after his arrival from Mecca after performing Hajj.&nbsp;

The suspect had been organising pilgrimage tours to Mecca, the paper reported.

The arrest of the cleric came days after the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/latest-sri-lanka-arrest-throws-spotlight-on-wahhabism-in-eastern-hotbed-218004">Sri Lankan government</a> said the trustees of all the mosques in the country should not engage in or allow any gathering to promote or propagate hatred and also directed them to send the audio recordings of the sermons to authorities.

The government's order was after security forces recovered swords and other weapons from mosques during search operations following the April 21 bomb blasts in which over 250 people, including 44 foreigners 10 of whom were Indians, were killed and 500 others injured.

Security has been beefed up across Sri Lanka after the Easter Sunday attacks on three churches, two of them Catholic, and three luxury hotels.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, but the government has blamed local Islamist extremist group, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/all-suspects-in-sri-lanka-bombings-arrested-or-dead-acting-police-chief-216566">National Thawheed Jama'ath </a>(NTJ), for the bombings.

The security forces are conducting round the clock security operations since the attack in the crackdown on radical Muslims with links to the bombings.&nbsp;

A 47-year old Muslim cleric wanted by the Sri Lankan security forces for using social media platform to air extremist views has been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport, a media report said.

A 47-year old Muslim cleric wanted by the Sri Lankan security forces for using social media platform to air extremist views has been arrested at the Bandaranaike International Airport, a media report said. The cleric, whose identity has not been disclosed, was wanted for releasing videos in a manner that harms reconciliation in the country and has been remanded till May 14, the Daily Mirror reported. The suspect, a resident of Vavuniya, was arrested on Saturday at the airport after his arrival from Mecca after performing Hajj. The suspect had been organising pilgrimage tours to Mecca, the paper reported. The arrest of the cleric came days after the Sri Lankan government said the trustees of all the mosques in the country should not engage in or allow any gathering to promote or propagate hatred and also directed them to send the audio recordings of the sermons to authorities. The government's order was after security forces recovered swords and other weapons from mosques during search operations following the April 21 bomb blasts in which over 250 people, including 44 foreigners 10 of whom were Indians, were killed and 500 others injured. Security has been beefed up across Sri Lanka after the Easter Sunday attacks on three churches, two of them Catholic, and three luxury hotels. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, but the government has blamed local Islamist extremist group, the National Thawheed Jama'ath (NTJ), for the bombings. The security forces are conducting round the clock security operations since the attack in the crackdown on radical Muslims with links to the bombings.

Muslim cleric wanted for airing extremist views arrested by Sri Lankan authorities

Prosecutors in Turkey have issued detention orders to over 300 soldiers suspected of having associations to US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who was responsible for last year&#39;s attempted coup, media reports said.&nbsp;

According to reports, the suspects included 333 soldiers and 27 civilians - also termed as &quot;secret-imams&quot;. Out of the total accused, seven military members sought were pilots.&nbsp;

It was also reported that two soldiers were detained in Zonguldak and will be taken to Istanbul, where the inquiry will be carried out.

Turkey blamed Gulen behind the July 15, 2016, failed overthrow of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Gulen had reportedly denied the claims.

Since last July, over 50,000 people have been arrested in a crackdown on the movement which Turkey has dubbed the &ldquo;Fethullah Terrorist Organization&rdquo; (FETO).

Gulen, living in self-imposed exile in the US state of Pennsylvania since 1999, insists his group is peaceful and has no links to terror.

Almost everyday, the authorities announce detentions of alleged Gulenists, over 16 months after the coup, media reports say.

According to reports, the suspects included 333 soldiers and 27 civilians - also termed as "secret-imams"

Prosecutors in Turkey have issued detention orders to over 300 soldiers suspected of having associations to US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who was responsible for last year's attempted coup, media reports said. According to reports, the suspects included 333 soldiers and 27 civilians - also termed as "secret-imams". Out of the total accused, seven military members sought were pilots. It was also reported that two soldiers were detained in Zonguldak and will be taken to Istanbul, where the inquiry will be carried out. Turkey blamed Gulen behind the July 15, 2016, failed overthrow of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Gulen had reportedly denied the claims. Since last July, over 50,000 people have been arrested in a crackdown on the movement which Turkey has dubbed the “Fethullah Terrorist Organization” (FETO). Gulen, living in self-imposed exile in the US state of Pennsylvania since 1999, insists his group is peaceful and has no links to terror. Almost everyday, the authorities announce detentions of alleged Gulenists, over 16 months after the coup, media reports say.

Turkey arrests over 300 soldiers for links with US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen

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