Washington D.C. Holds Prayer Vigil for Kidnapped Girls

Washington D.C. will hold a prayer vigil today for the girls who were kidnapped by Nigerian militant group Boko Haram Christianity Today reports.

The girls were kidnapped one month ago and are believed to still be in the Boko Haram’s captivity. Group leader Abubakar Sheka said in a video Monday that the young women would not be released until the Nigerian government releases other Boko Haram members from prison.

The vigil at the Nigerian Embassy will feature 276 flowers, one for each of the kidnapped girls. Families of the young women will be able to watch the speeches and prayers via online stream.

“We stand in solidarity with all the kidnapped girls of Nigeria, their families and loved ones. We agree with Dr. Martin Luther King when he says, ‘Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter,’” said vigil organizer Reverend Patrick Mahoney.

“These are not just the daughters of Nigeria but they are our daughters also,” he said.

Publication date: May 14, 2014