Academicians, Ordinary People Protest at Nigeria’s Crackdown on Muslims

The demonstration was held on Tuesday, after Muslim authorities announced on Monday that the number of the people killed by Nigerian security forces during Arbaeen ceremonies last week has risen to 47.

Chanting slogans, the crowd voiced their strong protest, while some of the students among the demonstrators held placards with English and Arabic messages on.

One of the areas of demands the protesters insisted on was immediate release of the innocent Muslims held captive by the Nigerian security forces.

Chairman of the Islamic Human Rights Commission in London Massoud Shajareh was among the participants who denounced the Nigeria’s onslaught against the Muslim nationals of this country.

“Today the Islamic movement in Nigeria is supported by 19 million Nigerian nationals and (this huge crowd of supporters) is the fruit of Sheikh Zakzaky’s efforts,” he added.

Nigeria’s crackdown on IMN followers began in December 2015, when the army attacked a religious ceremony in the city of Zaria in northern Nigeria. State forces later raided the house of IMN leader Sheikh Zakzaky and arrested him after killing anyone attempting to protect him.

More than 350 Nigerian Shia were killed in the brutal onslaught, including three of Zakzaky’s sons, only to be later buried in mass graves.

A Federal High Court ordered Zakzaky’s unconditional release in 2016, but the Nigerian government has so far refused to abide by the ruling.

A spokesman for the Islamic movement stated back in March that the government in Abuja was planning to indefinitely hold the cleric and his wife in custody.