Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, otherwise known as Shi’ites said they will observe their annual Ashura procession even if they have to die.
Given that the group has been proscribed, with a subsisting order by the Inspector General of Police to arrest any identified leaders of the group, the stage is therefore set for a clash between the Nigeria Police Force and members of the group.
The Ashura procession, also called the Day of Ashura, is the tenth day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar and it falls on Tuesday, September 10.
It is observed annually by Shi’ite Muslims worldwide in commemoration of the death of Husayn ibn Ali in the Battle of Karbala in Iraq.
Known as the third Shia Imam, Husayn was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and son of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the first Shia Imam.
He was said to have died during the Battle of Karbala, which was fought on October 10, 680 between his army and the army of the second Umayyad caliph Yazid I.
The Shi’ites are insisting on the procession in spite of the orders of the IG, Mohammed Adamu that IMN structures in the country be
dismantled.
The Nigeria Police Force has also dared the group to March on Tuesday and see what would happen.
A highly placed member of the Shi’ite group told SUNDAY PUNCH that its members would troop out from “cities and villages” in the 19 northern states and Abuja to mark its annual procession in memory of Imam Husayn (the third imam of Islam revered by Shi’ites)
The paper quoted the source as saying IMN members had vowed it would observe its annual Ashura procession.
Further confirming the move, the President, Media Forum of IMN, Ibrahim Musa, said some Shi’ites had already commenced the mourning procession in various cities, noting that no arrest had been reported so far.
He stressed that the IMN leaders and members had no plans to leave Nigeria or seek asylum in any country, noting that their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, had demonstrated love for Nigeria.
“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,” he said.
Musa stated that the procession would be peaceful and hitch-free.
Asked what they would do if confronted by the police, Musa said, “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.”
