Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


They Were Supposed to Learn to Be Good Muslims, Instead They Were Abused

Chika Oduah

   MAIDUGURI, NIGERIA - Nearly 1,000 people have been freed in the past
   month from Islamic schoolsin northern Nigeriawhere
   theyreportedlyexperienced abuse.

   In one such case,policesources saidhundreds of men and boyshad been
   freedfrom a school in Katsina, many of whom had been chained to
   walls,beaten andsexually abused.

   Thefour raidedschools, all in predominantly Muslim northern Nigeria,
   have much in common. All had managers who portrayed themselves as
   Islamic clerics teaching students how to be good Muslims.
   All the facilities also operated as reform centers to discipline
   misbehaving children.And all were in poor communities, drawing little
   attention--until now.
   Activists have sought regulation of private Islamic schools for years,
   but strong traditionshave stoodin the way.

.