Thousands of members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) have on Sunday staged an early morning procession to mark the annual Ashura mourning of the death of Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) in Kaduna.
Addressing members of the Movement at the close of the procession that took place along Nnamdi Azikiwe Way, Malam Aliyu Tirmizi stated that Imam Hussain was killed by the Army of Yazid bn Mu’awiya on the 10th day of Muharram at the plains of Karbala, now in present day Iraq, along with his household and followers about 1400 years ago.
“Despite efforts by the government to infringe upon our rights to freedom of religion and worship, we have today commemorated the remembrance of the Martyrdom of Imam Hussain (AS) who was killed in Karbala by the Army of Yazid bn Mu’awiyya (LA)”
He explained that Imam Hussain sacrificed his life and those of his family and supporters to protect the religion and true message of Islam.
Describing Imam Hussain as the symbol of struggle against tyranny and oppression, Malam Tirmizi explained that the Imam is adored by people of all religions and ideologies as a source of true commitment and steadfastness not only on the path of justice and fairness but also for freedom and independence.
Malam Tirmizi, who is also heading the Kaduna center of the IMN called on the Nigerian government to set good precedence by obeying court order and releasing the IMN leader Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky from illegal detention.
“We are calling on the Nigerian government to respect court judgment and unconditionally release our leader Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky who has been in illegal detention for about two years now.”
He also called on the members of the IMN to remain focused and resolute in the struggle for the release of the IMN leader in the face of unfortunate intimidations and suppression by the state by copying from the life of Imam Hussain (AS).
The event was conducted peacefully despite initial warnings by the state government banning all forms of public protests in the state.
