Following the killing of Mal. Umar Dan Maishiyya in Sokoto State of Nigeria, which led to the arrest of some members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, the tense climate has been used to give an entirely different perception of the people.
The perception given by media reports which repeatedly suggest that a clash
between Sunni and Shia groups in Sokoto led to the death of a cleric. Another
report suggests that Members of the Islamic Movement are the prime suspects,
thereby deliberately making the whole issue a religious crisis
between two religious groups. The previous BBC reports allege that a Muslim
cleric was shot by unidentified men on his way home from mosque after late
evening prayers. The report of his death then was not confirmed.
Before that event, it was confirmed that on Tuesday the penultimate week Dan
Maishiyya was killed, a group of people who were suspected to be among his
followers, stopped him while riding on motor bike and gave him a dirty slap on
his face. Their grudge being his lack of concern towards their plight while in
detention in 2005. However, the killing by gunshot of Dan Maishiya can not be
traced to his former disciples.
In 2005 orchestrated attack was launched by hoodlums under the protection of the
Nigerian Policemen against Members of the Islamic Movement in Sokoto. The reason
being a false allegation that the Members of the Islamic Movement were planning
to take over the Sultan Juma’a Mosque. This senseless act of gangsterism led to
the lost of six innocent lives of the members of the Islamic Movement. In
addition to destruction of landed properties belonging to the members of the
Islamic Movement.
As a matter of principle the members of the Islamic Movement refused to be an
instrument in the hands of tyrannical, insensitive and irresponsible political
figureheads.
This make the members of the Islamic Movement enjoy a grassroots support from
the masses. In a desperate move to have some measure of political relevance,
some court jesters and political prostitute dressed as Ulema take it upon
themselves to launch an unprovoked attack against anything that represent
Islamic Movement.
Known to be one of the instruments used by the Government to attack members of
the Islamic Movement and their ideals, Dan Maishiyya might have felt that his
reward from the Government should go beyond a mere handout. There after one
thing led to the other and Dan maishiyya started to openly attack the state
government particularly its appointment to political offices. Not long after,
his life was lost in the hands of yet to be identified assassins.
Similar event occurred in Kano, in which a cleric, Sheikh Jafar Adam was killed
while leading Morning Prayer is his Mosque. Of course the attempt to link the
killing to some religious group failed, probably due to the tense political
atmosphere prevailing during that election period. Dan Maishiyya was killed
under a similar circumstance, the only difference being the later was killed
while leading the prayer. Up to now, those responsible for his killing are yet
to be identified.
Political assassination in Nigeria has become a common place thus; killing of
Dan Maishiyya may not be unconnected to some political motives. Therefore
linking such a killing to any religious group or Muslim brothers whom have
always been the victims of aggression by Government agents and instigated mob
is, to say the least, a blatant hoax.
Once again the Government’s inability or rather unwillingness to protect the
lives and properties of the citizens became clear. And in its frantic move to
save its face the government resort to unprovoked attack of the members of the
Islamic Movement as a diversionary tactic.
In an interview with BBC Hausa Service the State Police Commissioner tried to
justify their senseless attack where he mentioned that they went to the Members
of the Islamic Movement to invite them for a chat but only to be attacked.
Nothing could be further from the truth. In this age of communication a phone
call should suffice. To make it more formal a letter of invitation from Police
Commissioner should have been sent. One wonders what kind of invitation is that
which warrant deployment of military and combat ready detachment of police force
to unarmed civilians. How can so many people be suspected of killing one man?
The Sokoto state Government made it part of its campaign promise to check what
they called the spread of Shi’ism in Sokoto state. Events as they are unfolding
now go to show that the Sokoto State government is determined to fulfill that
promise. The direct involvement of the Military in this act of persecution lends
credence to the fact that the Federal Government is as guilty as the State
Government. Who knows the Federal Government might be nursing a nationwide
clandestine attack on Islamic Movement in Nigeria, but decided to use Sokoto as
a testing ground?
Under the Constitution of the Federal Government of Nigeria to which the state
Government is part of, which law makes Shi’ism or being a Shia a crime
punishable with act of barbarism?
Under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, every suspect is
innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. Moreover, the burden of
proof in the circumstance is on the Government, not members of the Islamic
Movement.
The Nigerian Police arrested more than 100 Members of Islamic Movement without
arrest warrant and continued to keep them in detention without being charged to
Court for more than 24 hours, this is unlawful. In addition to the brutal killing
of morethan five members of the Islamic Movement, by combined team of combat
ready military and policemen. Among those killed by live bullets includes
brother Husain Aliyu Mala and Aliyu Sistem Hungumawa, while the rest yet to be
identified. Pitiless act of incindiarism, the government is thereby guilty of
violation of the laws of the land to which they swore to protect. How should the
criteria for the arrest be one’s religious views?
For almost three decades the Members of the Islamic Movement are never known to
use arms in preaching. They trade with ideas and the best way to get an idea
across is through verbal means. Persuasion. Discourse. Logic. Only person bereft
of ideas resort to violence.
Therefore arrest of Members of the Movement should stop and those arrested
illegally should be released with immediate effect.
Never in history were we distracted by socially misplaced, psychologically
confused, mentally derailed schizophrenics. We have been focused and we are
determining to remain focus. Our mission is to bring back our already
degenerated, unAllah and Anti Allah society back to Siratal Mustaqeem. In this
we are fully aware that this is never and will never be a tea party. There are
sacrifices to be made. And nothing will be too precious for us to sacrifice. Our
lives inclusive. Blackmail, intimidation and victimization being meted on us are
milestones pointing to the right direction. It has happened to prophets and
exalted messengers of God, thus we cannot be an exception. Our humble prayer to
God is for Him to shower un to us dogged determination till we attain our
objective or die trying to. If either of these should happen we are fulfilled
Alhamdu lillah.
Comments (12)
1. Written by Ramadan on 26-07-2007 19:52
May God protect Shaikh ZakZaky!
2. Written by Abdul on 26-07-2007 21:48
The Imam of our Time is witness to these acts of barbarism that are being directed to the Lovers of Ahlal Bayt. By Allah, Victory is near and justice will be established.....!
3. Written by yakarbala! on 30-07-2007 17:49
May Allah help you for bringing this to the notice of our brothers and sisters, we need your prayers
4. Written by Adamu on 30-07-2007 19:12
The situation is pathetic, very sorrowful and full of confusion. Really Allah's Messenger said the time of the Dajjal will be the time of confusion and people will believe a liar and disbelieve one who is trustworthy.
5. Written by Ali Ridha on 30-07-2007 20:04
God is with those who are patient. Stay strong O Shia of Nigeria, for after hardship there is ease. Long live Sheikh Zakzaky (HA)!
6. Written by ali on 31-07-2007 08:31
i condemn the act of barbarism against muslim brothers in sokoto,as a shia muslim from nigeria i feel very bad when ever so things happen.becouse we dont want our country to become like pakistan.But the muslim brothers have to take more restrain and triend as muuch as possible,by following the true teaching of our holy imams,i dont see a reason why muslim brothers should not have mosques and be practicing taqiyyah.
7. Written by yakarbala! on 02-08-2007 12:57
brother ali the issue is not a matter of mosque, think about the report above is just an attack istigated by sokoto state government for their political benefit. In regard to taqiyya, not in any situaation you are permitted to practise taqiyya, it the americans want use the nigerian politicians to creaate a good atmosphere to attack nigerian musulims for faith and oil purposes. Iraq and Lebanon is a great lesson to us in regard to that effect.
8. Written by shamim on 03-08-2007 12:00
May Allah protect zakky . Our Imame waqt is the witness of all the barberic acts comited against our shia brothers. inshallah Allah will protect them and victory is very near .Ameen
9. Written by Abbas Mawji on 03-08-2007 16:38
S/a May Allah protect Sheikh Zakky n da ppl in nigeria..Stay strong O Shia of Nigeria for after every hardship there is ease..
10. Written by Aliyu Ahmed on 13-08-2007 09:50
May Allah protect us and deal with Alu Magatagarda wamakko (the governor of sokoto). surely I am among the victims of this barbaric action, my house and that of my 3 brothers are set a blaze my car inclusive, just because of my faith. May the curse of Allah be with all those whose hands are involved in this work. ameen.
11. Written by Saifuddeen on 03-02-2008 21:58
I advise the Nigerian Shiites to search for another country to propagate their evil agenda, their is no room for shia in Nigeria, Nigeria is a Muslim not Shiite Country. Shiites deserve worse.
12. Written by Dhulfiqaar on 05-02-2008 16:37
Saifuddeen, I thought the Americans and Zionists had closed chambers in Saudia and Jordan.
It appears they have reached Nigeria. Keep on going - all of you will reach the same fate, Insha'Allah.
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