Niger: churches destroyed in Charlie Hebdo protests; anti Muslim attacks in Europe

Niamey by night - Wiki image - diasUndKompott.

At least 45 churches have been set ablaze in Niger during days of violent protests over the Charlie Hebdo magazine. Five people have died and 130 others have been injured in demonstrations in the capital Niamey. In Zinder, Niger's second city, emergency services found a body in a gutted Catholic church.

Protesters initially took to the streets in the former French colony after Friday prayers. Protesters also raided shops, offices and businesses owned by Christians.

More peaceful demonstrations have also place in Mali, Senegal, Mauritania, Algeria and Pakistan. Two charred bodies were recovered from a church on the outskirts of Niamey, and the body of a woman was found in a bar, Reuters reported.

Meanwhile in France, more than 50 anti-Muslim incidents have been reported across France, according to the nation's Muslim community, which is appealing for heightened security.

Among the 54 anti-Muslim incidents, there have been 21 reports of shootings and grenade throwing at Islamic buildings, as well as 33 cases of threats and insults, said Abdallah Zekri, president of the Collective Against Islamophobia in France (CCIF). CCIF is a monitoring body within the Central Council of Muslims.

In London tonight, the Evening Standard reports tonight that several mosques have received abusive messages and death threats.