Rapper Nicki Minaj spoke at a United Nations event on Tuesday to bring attention to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The Trinidadian pop star thanked President Donald Trump for prioritizing the issue and urged people “to defend Christians in Nigeria, to combat extremism and to bring a stop to violence against those who simply want to exercise their natural right to freedom of religion or belief.” Minaj was part of a panel that included U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz and faith leaders.
“Today, faith is under attack in way too many places. In Nigeria, Christians are being targeted, driven from their homes and killed. Churches have been burned. Families have been torn apart and entire communities live in fear constantly, simply because of how they pray,” the 42-year-old celeb said during her speech.
“Sadly, this problem is not only a growing problem in Nigeria, but also in so many other countries across the world, and it demands urgent action,” Minaj said. “And I want to be clear, protecting Christians in Nigeria is not about taking sides or dividing people. It is about uniting humanity.”
The “Super Bass” singer isn’t politically active, but many of her fans have been melting down, accusing her of “going MAGA.” Minaj, who calls her fans “Barbz,” attempted to soothe their ruffled feathers by explaining that this issue transcended politics.
“Barbz, I know you’re somewhere listening. I love you so very much. You have been the ultimate light in my life and career for so long. I appreciate you, and I want to make it very clear, once again, that this isn’t about taking sides. This is about standing up in the face of injustice. It’s about what I’ve always stood for my entire career. And I will continue to stand for that for the rest of my life. I will care if anyone, anywhere, is being persecuted for their beliefs,” Minaj said.
In late October, Trump said the State Department would add Nigeria to its list of “Countries of Particular Concern.”
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed,” Trump said. “Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN’ — But that is the least of it. When Christians, or any such group, is slaughtered like is happening in Nigeria (3,100 versus 4,476 Worldwide), something must be done!”
Trump said he would send troops into Nigeria “guns a-blazing” if its government “continues to allow the killing of Christians.”
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu disputed Trump’s assertions, saying they did not reflect the facts.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into consideration the consistent and sincere efforts of the government to safeguard freedom of religion and beliefs for all Nigerians,” he said.
“Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.”
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