Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Shiites, took to the street on Saturday, in Abuja, demanding the unconditional release of international passports of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife, Malam Zeenatuddin Ibrahim.
Recall that El-Zakzaky, his wife, had been in detention for about seven (7) years ago, following the clash between the Nigerian Army and the Shiites in Zaria, Kaduna State in December 2015, which led to the killing of several members of the IMN
The protesting Shiites included children, men and women, who marched from Central Area through Wuse market and ended at Jabi.
The Secretary for the Academic Forum of Islamic Movement, Abdullahi Muhammad, who spoke with Journalists during protests, called on the government to unconditionally release the international passports of our leader Sheikh Zakzaky and his Wife Zeenah
Muhammad said: “The essence of mourning this Great historical personality, is to preserve his exemplary valiant resistance and draw inspiration from his honourable struggle. Islam owes its existence and continuation to the struggle of Imam Husain (AS). Had the Imam submitted to the tyrant, Islam would have been long dead and buried.
“Symbolic tracking started on Thursday in the North States, today’s own was the Constitution which always takes place in Abuja. this is the first time we started and ended peacefully without harassment from the Security forces since 2015, and this makes it clear to all and sundry that they were the cause of all violence with regard to our programmes.
“It is also the root of the struggle of our revered Leader, Shaikh Ibraheem Zakzaky against the tyrannical system in our society. One can understand why we will never surrender to injustice, tyranny, oppression and oppressors!! We will continue to resist until the last drops of our blood. We wish to extend our condolence to the Imam of our time,” he said.
They also displayed placards and portraits of Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, while chanting anti-government songs. The placards carried such inscriptions as: “We want justice” and “Release El-Zakzaky international passports, ” among others.
According to Muhammad, “We in the world today, urgently and fervently need to emulate this exemplary stance against tyrants and tyranny in this world that is filled with oppression and oppressors. That is our only path to a happy and blissful life in this mundane world and life after death.
“We need to emulate the selflessness exhibited by Imam Husain in the desert of Karbala. This is true regardless of your religious beliefs, as one of the favourite sayings of Imam Husain, while addressing those inhuman soldiers of the tyrant Yazid on that fateful day”.
Also speaking during the protests, Dr Dauda Nalado, said: “It is also worthwhile to mention that this steadfastness, sacrifice and rebellion against tyranny and oppression displayed by the Imam is the root of all revolutionary uprisings in the history of Islam,” he said.