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Shia Centre demolished in Nigeria |
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Thursday, 02 August 2007 |
The Islamic Centre, popularly known as Markaz, belonging to Members of the
Islamic Movement was demolished on Tuesday by the Government of Sokoto state.
The security forces also destroyed a school, a clinic and the living quarters of
the sect in the north-western Sokoto state.
Although no official explanation was given for the demolition, it is being
suggested that it is part of a plan to expel Shi'ites from the city. Following
the assassination of a Sunni cleric before two weeks, the Sokoto state
government has unleashed an indiscriminate attack on Shi'ites in Sokoto.
Hundreds have been unjustly detained including Shia leader Kasimu Rimin Tawaye.
The recent systematic acts of state aggression against Shi'ites in Sokoto come
as part of a wider policy specifically targeted as Shi’ites in Nigeria. The
present state governor, Mr. Alu Magatakarda Wamako in his political mandate
pledged to limit what he called ‘the spread of Shi’ism in Sokoto’ and also
promised to demolish the Shi’ite Center, the latter of which he has now
realised.
The Islamic Center, located in the heart of Sokoto city was the center of
activities for the Shi'ite community. Its adjacent library and hospital were
also demolished under directives from the state government.
Mr. Alu Magatakarda Wamako and his cohorts may now be asked what benefits they
stand to gain by demolishing the Center? In what way does the demolition of a
Center, a hospital, schools and a library serve to bring to justice still
'unknown' killers of Mal. Umaru Danmaishiyya? This despite the explict statement
by the police state commissioner when he declared the lack of any evidence
linking any members of the Shi'ite community with the assassination.
It is clear that the assassination of Mal. Umaru has been intentionally used as
a pretext by the authorities to put into action a wider policy targetted at the
collective punishment and expulsion of Shi'ites from Sokoto.
At this juncture one cannot but stop to ask, whether the hasty acts of
aggression by the state government were so as to reign in the criminal killers
of Mal. Umaru or rather to mask his real killers?
Comments posted are the sole opinion of the author and may not necessarily reflect the opinions of AIM. |
