Ashura: Anxiety over Shiites’ planned procession

Ashura: Anxiety over Shiites’ planned procession
There is fear of another clash between the police and members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria otherwise called Shi’ites.
This is as a result of a procession the movement is planning for Tuesday, to mark the Day of Ashura, which is the tenth day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar.
The group has been banned by the Federal Government but it has made it clear that the procession will hold.
Speaking on the programme annually by Shi’ite Muslims worldwide to commemorate the death of Husayn ibn Ali in the Battle of Karbala in Iraq, President of the IMN Media Forum, Ibrahim Musa, said, “To date, there have been no arrests since we started the Ashura mourning procession in various cities and villages. We will join our Shia brothers worldwide in commemorating the killing of the Prophet’s grandson, Imam Husayn on the tenth of Muharram (Tuesday).
“Our leader, Sheikh Zakzaky, has demonstrated our love for our country. We would rather die here than leave since we are not criminals. Our procession will hold on Tuesday in Abuja and major cities in the North, Insha Allah.
“Ours is a peaceful religious procession, that is why our women and children join us. So, if there is any confrontation, it is the government that may cause it, not us. We are ready to sacrifice our lives just as Imam Husayn did in Karbala. We are not going to war, we are going on a mourning procession which is a universal event on that day.”
Violence recently rocked Abuja when the IMN protested the continued detention of its leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzakky.
Members had clamored for his release for treatment in India, having argued that he was very ill.
But the Indian trip was ill-fated as he was brought back to Nigeria in no time.