- Shi’ite members stage peaceful protest in Bauchi against US, Israel, Iran war
The wife of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shi’ites, Sayyida Zeenatuddeen Ibraheem Zakzaky, has called on Muslims and Christians worldwide to unite and consistently stand against oppression in order to promote justice and improve living conditions globally.
Sayyida Zeenatuddeen made the call on Sunday during the closing ceremony of the 5th International Conference on Islamic Thought, themed “The State of Affairs and the Way Out.”
The conference was organised by the Sisters Forum and Academic Forum under the leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, and held at an event centre in Bauchi.
The conference, which lasted three days, attracted participants from Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and other African countries.
Zakzaky’s wife urged Muslims to align their lives with the teachings of the Qur’an and the traditions of the Prophet.
“Muslims must live their lives according to how Allah enjoined us in the Qur’an and the way the Prophet has brought it to us,” she said.
She explained that the aim of the conference was to remind adherents of their responsibility to live as true Muslims.
“We are not saying that everybody should become Muslims. All human beings love justice and fairness, and hate oppression and injustice,” she said. “Muslims cannot afford to live against the teachings of the Qur’an.”
Commenting on the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, she described the situation as a struggle between oppressors and the oppressed.
“I don’t want people to ask me about this war, but as all can see, it is now clear. I am siding with the axis of resistance against aggression. We know who the aggressors are,” she said.
She added that lasting peace and development cannot be achieved in a world where injustice is ignored.
“It is mandatory to act against injustice. All the Prophets of God came to fight oppression and establish justice,” she said.
She stressed that the purpose of the conference was to strengthen awareness of the aims and objectives of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, while reinforcing opposition to oppression globally.
On current global tensions, including the conflict involving Iran and the United States, she described the situation as a struggle between truth and falsehood, urging people to always stand with justice.
She described the event as part of ongoing efforts to educate the public on fairness, human rights, and global solidarity with oppressed populations, particularly Palestinians.
Sayyida Zeenatuddeen described the actions of the United States and Israel in Iran and Palestine as driven by expansionist and self-interested policies, and called on Nigerians to remain vigilant against foreign influence.
She warned against narratives suggesting that the United States could resolve Nigeria’s insecurity challenges, insisting that national sovereignty must be protected.
“The US is only after the wealth and resources of other countries. Nigerians must be careful and protect their sovereignty,” she said.
Similarly, Dr. Fatima Ismail of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, said the annual conference was designed to promote justice awareness and encourage resistance against oppression worldwide.
She called for unity among Muslims and Christians, saying all must rise against injustice wherever it occurs. She stressed that silence in the face of oppression only worsens global conditions.
After the closing ceremony, thousands of participants and members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria staged a peaceful protest in Bauchi, marching to the CBN Roundabout while chanting slogans in support of Palestine and condemning the United States and Israel over ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.
The protesters described the actions of Western powers as acts of injustice and oppression, calling for global resistance.
Speaking during a rally in support of Iran and the “axis of resistance,” Engineer Abdullahi Musa, a follower of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, said the movement would continue to stand in solidarity with oppressed people, especially Palestinians.
He said opposing injustice is a duty for all believers, regardless of religion, citing the teachings of various prophets as justification for resistance against oppression.
“We are out today as usual. We have been coming out for decades to show our solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine,” he said.
“You see, we have had many people shot and killed for this cause. And we continue. Why? Because it is mandated for all believers — whether Muslim or Christian, whatever religion you practice — you must act against injustice.”
“It’s mandatory. You must act against injustice. The purpose of all the Prophets of God is to come and fight for justice. Prophet Jesus (Alaihis Salam) fought for justice. If you are a Christian, you should know that fighting for justice is part of religion. That is why we prefer to even lose our lives fighting for justice.”
“Because when we return to Almighty God, He will surely ask us, ‘What did you do when people were oppressed?’ We will tell Him, ‘God Almighty, we fought for justice and in the process we were martyred.’ That is it. And that is why we are out today,” Musa stated.
Musa also referenced Imam Khomeini’s declaration of a day of support for Palestine, stating that solidarity with oppressed people remains a continuous responsibility.
“Imam Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, declared the last Friday of every month of Ramadan as a day for the oppressed. Who are these oppressed? The people of Palestine. And he said in several locations that every day is for Palestine. So you can come out at any time, at any moment, to protest against the injustice meted out to these oppressed people of Palestine.”
“So that is why we are out today. Purely, we are out to show our solidarity with the oppressed people. You can see how they are being killed — bombardment everywhere in the Middle East.”
He further called on the Nigerian government to take a stronger stance against global injustice, saying current responses were not sufficient.
“We have seen many nations act against this injustice, but we are yet to see concrete action by the Nigerian government. So if I have any message for the Nigerian authorities, it is for them to stand with the oppressed. It is their duty. They have every right to go against injustice. They have every right to speak against injustice. Even though they sometimes show concern, it’s not enough.”
“We as Nigerians, what the Nigerian government is doing is not enough. We want this government to come out clearly and show its solidarity with the oppressed people because in this country we have Muslims, we have Christians, we have those who don’t even practice religion, but they are all human.”
“The major point of concern is humanity. Humanity first before everything. So we are humans, we want humanity, and we stand with the oppressed people of Palestine. We want the Nigerian government to do something.”
“Even right now, as I’m speaking with you, we have many corpses — our members who were killed by the Nigerian Army. To be precise, the Guard Brigade in Abuja has killed 27 people and is still holding about 20 corpses. Their only offence was saying ‘Free Palestine.’ So if the government kills people who come out to the streets calling for the freedom of Palestine, what do you expect from them?” he added.
On the 2027 general elections in Nigeria, Musa said: “Yes, we are heading toward what they call general elections, but does it work? It doesn’t work. We have a problem in this country. Our problem in this country is not leadership. The problem of this country is the system.”
“So my message to Nigerians is, don’t just waste your time. It is better you wake up and fight against this regime, the system. The system is the problem, not the leadership. We have tried APC, we have tried PDP, we have tried SDP, a lot of parties. We have tried in this country, but day in, day out, the situation of this country is worsening. That shows that leadership is not the problem; the system is the problem.”
Also speaking, Sheikh Muhammad Abbare, representative of Sheikh Zakzaky in Gombe State, addressed the gathering and advised Nigerian political leaders to prioritise ending killings and injustice rather than focusing on early election campaigns.
He emphasised that good governance must be rooted in justice and fear of God, adding that global powers such as the United States and Israel were contributing to oppression worldwide.
