Shi’ites hold Quds Day without Zakzaky

Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, will today hold their annual Quds Day marches in 24 states of the federation without their leader Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky who has been in detention since December, 2015 after a clash occurred between the members and the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff.

A statement by the President of the Media Forum of the Movement, Ibrahim Musa, called on all people of conscience to join in commemorating the annual event by lending a voice to the oppressed people of Palestine and condemn the ‘Israeli atrocities’ on them.

He said the IMN, under the leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, had been in the forefront in observing the Quds Day attended by both Muslims and non-Muslims on the last Friday of Ramadan for several decades now.

He added, “The Day is commemorated based on conscience and not only on religious consideration as victims of Zionism and illegal occupation of Palestine include Muslims and Christians alike”

Making a case for Zakzakky, the statement said, “We will also like to seize this opportunity to call on the Nigerian government to immediately and unconditionally release the revered leader of the IMN, His Eminence, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, who has been most active in this struggle for humanity and who in the past lost his children in the cause of this struggle for Palestinian freedom.”