The Nigeria Police Force and members
of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria, also known as Shi’ites, may
clash at the group’s upcoming Ashura procession on Tuesday, September 10th.
The Ashura procession, also
called the Day of Ashura, is the tenth day of Muharram, the first month in the
Islamic calendar. It is observed annually by Shi’ite Muslims worldwide to
commemorate the death of Husayn ibn Ali in the Battle of Karbala in Iraq.
Despite the fact that the
Shi’ites group has been proscribed, it has dared the police and insisted it
would observe the Ashura procession on Tuesday. However, the Nigeria Police
Force had also dared the group to march and see what they (the police) would
do. The development came amid a recent directive from the Inspector-General of
Police, Mohammed Adamu, for the arrest of all identified Shi’ite leaders across
the country.
The IGP also directed a team of
special police to dismantle the IMN structures in the country, vowing the
police would not allow the Shi’ite group to violate its proscription by the
court. However, a highly placed member of the Shi’ite group told Punch that its
members would troop out from “cities and villages” in the 19 northern states
and Abuja to mark its annual procession in memory of Imam Husayn (the third
imam of Islam revered by Shi’ites)
The source said IMN members had
vowed it would observe its annual Ashura procession. Confirming the move, the
President, Media Forum of IMN, Ibrahim Musa, said some Shi’ites had already
commenced the mourning procession in various cities, noting that no arrest had
been reported so far.
He also said the IMN leaders and
members had no plans to leave Nigeria or seek asylum in any country, noting
that their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, had demonstrated love for Nigeria. Musa,
who doubles as the Shi’ite spokesperson, stated;
“To date, there have been no
arrests since we started the Ashura mourning procession in various cities and
villages. We will join our Shia brothers worldwide in commemorating the killing
of the Prophet’s grandson, Imam Husayn on the tenth of Muharram (Tuesday).
“Our leader, Sheikh Zakzaky, has
demonstrated our love for our country. We would rather die here than leave
since we are not criminals. Our procession will hold on Tuesday in Abuja and
major cities in the North, Insha Allah.”
He stated the procession would be
peaceful and hitch-free. When asked what
they would do if confronted by the police, Musa said;
“Ours is a peaceful religious
procession, that is why our women and children join us. So, if there is any
confrontation, it is the government that may cause it, not us. We are ready to
sacrifice our lives just as Imam Husayn did in Karbala. We are not going to
war, we are going on a mourning procession which is a universal event on that
day.”
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