MICHELLE FAUL: The crew of an oil tanker hijacked in Nigerian waters is from the Philippines, Georgia, and Russia
ISA SAGO: We must not rely on oil alone.
Remy C. Ilona: The Igbo Jews are said to have migrated from Syria, Portugal, and Libya into West Africa around 740 C.E. It is claimed that the initial immigrants were from the biblical tribes of Gad, Asher, Dan, and Naphtali. Later, they were joined by more Jewish immigrants from Portugal and Libya in 1484 and 1667 respectively.
David Mark: What makes Biafra all the more crucial for the future of Sub-Sahara Africa is that it is made up of an overwhelming number of Igbo. The Igbo believe they are descended from Israel and self identify as Israelites. With this in mind It is not surprising that in the Biafran Civil War, Israel actually gave supplies and support to Nigeria’s Southern region, which is where much of its industry and oil are. The irony is that the Igbo, as they begin to decolonize their religion and culture, have exemplified far more indigenous behavior than their fellow Nigerians. This is what makes Biafra important. It is a region experiencing a return to its ancient Hebrew roots and should be supported in its desire and drive to do so.
Shai Afsai: Academic integrity is crucial and scholarly precision is necessary when it comes to African Judaism.
SHAI AFSAI: Igbo Jews are practicing a joyous, forward- looking rabbinic Judaism, composing their own prayer melodies, continuing to learn Hebrew, and attempting to foster relationships with Jewish communities outside of Nigeria.
Though they lack centralized leadership and are not concentrated in a small geographic area, the Igbo Jews have in some ways come to resemble the Abayudaya of eastern Uganda or the San Nicandro Jews of southeast Italy.
George Robinson: "Re-Emerging: The Jews of Nigeria" is one of those peculiar documentary films that makes a sort of nonsense of everything I know about film and art. On the one hand, the film, which is produced, written, directed, shot, and edited by Jeff L. Lieberman, is a baggy, often shapeless mess, meandering and repetitive, filled with side roads that lead nowhere, and a narration that borders on the amateur.
More seriously, the film misses an opportunity to explore the function of Christianity in a post-colonial Africa, although it is smart enough to raise the issue.
There have long been rumors of a more direct connection between the Igbo and Judaism, and ~ in a country currently torn apart by Christian-Muslim sectarian violence ~ the idea that a third religious element could emerge is certainly intriguing.
Henry Abramson: First of all, it’s important to understand that Spain has a triangular culture, specifically: Christians, Muslims, and Jews.
