By Waziri Isa Adam, Abuja
While Muslims all over the world including United States, Britain, France, Saudi Arabia, China and Russia, peacefully commemorated the annual Ashura mournings which usually end with peaceful processions and rallies on the 10th of Muharram without any incident of molestation from any of those countries, Nigerian mourners were attacked yesterday, Friday 28th, July, 2023, by a combination of heavily armed soldiers and police in the nation’s federal capital – Abuja.
The mourners who were seen holding only flags and heard chanting Labbayka Ya Husain! in their hundreds included women and children, were mostly disciples of the incarcerated leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, peacefully started the procession from BANEX PLAZA Mosque and terminated it around Wuse market where the heavily armed soldiers and police sorrounded and teargassed them before finally opening fire on them with live ammunition injuring several of them especially women and children. Several others including the wounded were also arrested and taking to various unknown security detention centres.
Yesterday’s violent attacks on the peaceful Ashura mourners reminded Nigerians of such inhuman practice and violation of the shiites’ fundamental human rights, freedom of religion and assembly which former Nigeria’s President, General Muhammadu Buhari, Kaduna state Governor, Nasiru El-Rufai, and their allies were contracted to execute, and were notorious for.
Speaking earlier during his Friday sermon the Imam of BANEX PLAZA Mosque was heard inciting worshippers and the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Government to emulate General Buhari and Tukur Buratai in dealing with the Shiites in Abuja.
As at the time of filing this report the number of those that were wounded in the attack, and those arrested, has not been ascertained by the members of the Islamic movement.
Commenting on the incident, one of the members of the shiites or Islamic Movement, who gave his name as Malam Adamu Aya called on P-BAT to give orders for the immediate investigation of the dastardly and uncivilized attacks on the peaceful mourners and bring them to book, otherwise the shiites will document the unfortunate incident as his handiwork which he gave approval for, and will hold him accountable for it.
The annual Ashura Muharram ceremonies symbolize the eternal and unwavering stance of truth championed by Imam Husain – the Grandson of the holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) against falsehood and humanity’s struggle against injustice, tyranny and oppression, the cause of which the Imam was martyred for by Yazid bn Muawiya in Karbala – Iraq in 61 AH.
Ashura procession for Imam Hussain (as) right in front of the White House in the USA 2023
After years of ban, Shias in Saudi Arabia were allowed to mourn Ashura in Al-Baqi Cemetery in Madina al Munawwara