Topics: Donald Trump, Nicki Minaj, US News, United Nations, World News, Religion
Nicki Minaj has been criticized for spreading misinformation in a speech at the UN after she claimed that Christians in Nigeria are being deliberately targeted with violence.
The 'Beez in the Trap' rapper gave a speech at the UN headquarters after taking on a new role working with the Trump administration, working alongside US ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz.
Minaj's public support of Trump has already seen her subjected to intense public criticism, including after she shared posts on social media praising Trump's anti-immigrant and anti-trans policies.
Now, Minaj has sparked controversy once again after critics of Trump accused her of spreading misinformation at the UN after she claimed in a speech that Christians 'are being targeted' in Nigeria.
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“I would like to thank President Trump for prioritizing this issue and for his leadership on the global stage in calling for urgent action to defend Christians in Nigeria,” Minaj said.
"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 reality is actually more complex than Christians being targeted specifically.
Nigeria is currently struggling with extremist jihadi groups such as Boko Haram who are terrorizing the population, including the targeting civilians in massacres, as well as buildings and infrastructure.
However, the. Nigerian government has hit back at claims that Christians are being targeted as 'a gross misrepresentation of reality'.
The government acknowledged the deadly violence but said: "Terrorists attack all who reject their murderous ideology - Muslims, Christians and those of no faith alike."
This is distinct from the claim that Christians are being attacked specifically on the basis of being Christian.
Groups which monitor violence in Nigeria have also said that the majority of people who have been killed by extremist groups are Muslim.
Meanwhile, Nigerian security analyst Christian Ani has said it is not possible to make the claim that Christians are being targeted specifically.
Sadly, Christians are one of many groups who are on the receiving end of indiscriminate violence at the hands of groups such as Boko Haram.
Abdulmalik Saidu, 32, lives in the northwestern Nigerian state Zamfara, and said that his brother was shot dead by extremists.
He told ABC: “They don’t ask you whether you are a Muslim or a Christian. All they want is just money from you. [Even] if you have money, sometimes they will kill you.”
UNILAD has approached representatives of Nicki Minaj for comment.
