World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League (WABIL) utterly condemns the attack by the Nigerian police on the peaceful Arbaeen procession to Zaria on the outskirts of Kano metropolis, killing close to a hundred members of the peaceful Shia Islamic movement including women and children. We offer our sincere condolences to the families of the martyred victims and the  injured.


The walk had started like in previous years solemnly, orderly and peacefully without any trouble. According to reports from the Islamic Movement, shortly after, a contingent of armed policemen appeared and started firing teargas on the walkers without provocation, opening fire with live ammunition. 


The police are claiming that there was an exchange of fire: however this is impossible as the lovers of Imam Hussain (as) protesting his murder by Yazid 1400 years ago, were marching in peace and with women and children.


Precisely a year ago, the army and police opened fire on Shaykh Zakzaky and his companions, killing many, and arresting the injured Shaykh and his wife. In the same manner, this year again, the government’s Saudi-funded campaign against the Shias of Nigeria has led to further brutality.


WABIL stands in solidarity with the Nigerian Shias and we demand that the government immediately investigates who was responsible and bring them to justice. We know that this crime is the result of the Nigerian administration leaning towards Saudi-funded brutality. But we invite those harbouring terrorists to examine their skewed version of Islam and to be just rather than politically and economically motivated.

 
Sayed Mohammad Al-Musawi
World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League (WABIL)
London, UK
 

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