KADUNA, Nigeria, Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Riots flared for a fourth day in Kaduna Saturday and spread to other areas as the death toll soared to more than 100 and forced authorities to move the Miss World pageant to London, authorities said.
Kaduna officials imposed a curfew in the northern Nigerian city, but there were still reports of scattered violence there.
Muslims in Nigeria have protested the hosting of the pageant in their country because they consider the event immoral. The event will be held Dec. 7 in London, the same day as it had been orginally scheduled in Kaduna.
"This decision was taken after careful consideration of all the issues involved and in the overall interests of Nigeria and the contestants participating in this year's edition," said a statement from Miss World Organization and its local representatives, Silver Bird Productions Ltd.
A local newspaper article which suggested that the prophet Mohammed would have approved of the pageant apparently set off the riots.
The newspaper ThisDay published a commentary that suggested Mohammed, the historical founder of Islam, would not be offended by the appearance of Miss World contestants -- rather, he might have chosen his wife from among them.
The dress and behavior of women has been a volatile issue in Nigeria, particularly between the mostly Christian south and mostly Muslim north. Traditional Sharia law had recently condemned a Nigerian woman to death by stoning for giving birth to an illegitimate child, but government authorities -- anxious to showcase Nigeria by hosting the pageant -- subsequently said the sentence would not be carried out.
"Saturday 16 November was our error, for which we feel very sorry," ThisDay's management said in an open letter on Thursday. "We therefore seek the understanding of our Muslim brothers and sisters and sincerely hope that in the spirit of the holy month of Ramadan, and in the interest of our beloved country, Nigeria, we would show forgiveness and understanding."
