Shiites Set For Nationwide March On Friday – IMN
By Oladapo Okeowo
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) on Thursday announced its plan to observe Quds Day on Friday, June 23.
This was disclosed by the group’s spokesman, Ibrahim Musa, in a statement.
He called on “people of conscience to join in commemorating this annual event by lending a voice to the oppressed people of Palestine.”
According to him, the march would hold across in 24 states of the federation.
“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.
“Moreover, pro-Palestinian protest marches such as this are organised in all parts of the world including Europe and America to mark the International Quds Day.
“The third holiest mosque in Islam, Masjid al Aqsa is under the occupation of the Zionist Israeli regime following the illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel.
“The holy mosque of al-Aqsa is the place through which the Holy Prophet of Islam Muhammad (SAWA) undertook his night journey when he ascended to the heavens as mentioned in the holy Quran.
“The illegal state of Israel had unleashed terror on the innocent but strong-hearted people of Palestine for the past 60 years, killing unarmed men, women and children, demolishing their houses and placing Holy sands in illegal detention and torture.
“All these are taking place before the very eyes of the world but for reasons best known to them, the international community is simply looking the other way as this state terrorism is taking place with what could best be described as genocide against the people of Palestine.
“Left without any help or assistance from the so-called world powers while Israel is dealing deadly blow on the Palestinians, whose lands it had occupied, the entire populace were left to themselves against the terror-laden state of Israel.
“It is against this background that the leader of Islamic Revolution in Iran, Ayatullah Ruhullah Khomeini declared the last Friday of every month of Ramadan for people of conscience across the globe to express their support for the Palestinian course and condemn the illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel.
“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 course of struggle for humanity and who in the past lost his children in the cause of this struggle for Palestinian freedom.”
