Cameroon Shuts Down Mosques

Cameroon has shut down all mosques and Islamic centres in response to a wave of suicide attacks in the country's north

Cameroon joins Angola in responding to Muslim terrorism by shutting down mosques

World Bulletin / News Desk
Cameroonian authorities have ordered all mosques and Islamic centers be shut in northern parts of the west African country, after an increase in suicide attacks.

"They should have better solutions to their problems. Why is that governor chasing the wrong horse?" asked 70-year-old Aladji Haman from the Maroua central mosque was quoted by Los Angeles Times, citing an AP report.

Announcing the decision on Sunday, northern Cameroon temporarily closed its mosques and Islamic schools.

In addition to the closures, young beggars were also ordered to vacate the streets as all recent suicide bombers were children. 

Gov. Midjiyawa Bakari said the new rules came in  response to two incidents in the past week, referring to two suicide attacks by two girls which resulted in killing 31 and wounding tens of people.

Though no group claimed responsibility for the attacks, finders were pointed as militant group Boko Haram.

According to the CIA Factbook, Muslims constitute about 20 percent of Cameroon’s total population of 20.5 million.

Most of them live in northern Cameroon and hail from major tribes such as the Fulani and the Peuhl.