Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shi’ites, staged a rally in Bauchi on Sunday in solidarity with Iran and the Palestinian people while urging Muslims to live strictly according to Islamic teachings.
The demonstration followed the closing ceremony of the 5th International Conference on Islamic Thought, themed “The State of Affairs and the Way Out.” The event, organised by the Sisters Forum and Academic Forum under the leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, took place at an event centre in Bauchi and drew participants from Nigeria and neighbouring countries including Niger and Chad.
Malama Zeenatuddeen Ibraheem Zakzaky, wife of the IMN leader Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, addressed the conference and called on Muslims to align their lives with the teachings of the Qur’an and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
“Muslims must live their lives according to how Allah enjoined us in the Qur’an and the way the Prophet has brought it to us,” she said. “We are not saying that everybody should become Muslims, but we also cannot afford to live against the teachings of the Qur’an.”
She described the ongoing conflicts involving the United States, Israel, and Iran as a clear struggle between oppressors and the oppressed. “I don’t want people to ask me about this war, but as all can see, it is now clear. I am siding with the axis of resistance against aggression. We know who the aggressors are,” she stated, while urging vigilance against foreign interference aimed at exploiting resources.
After the conference, thousands of participants and IMN members took to the streets for a peaceful symbolic rally. They marched to the CBN Roundabout in Bauchi, chanting slogans in support of Palestine and Iran, and condemning what they described as injustice and aggression by the United States and Israel in the Middle East.
Engineer Abdullahi Musa, a follower of Sheikh Zakzaky, spoke during the rally and emphasised the long-standing commitment of the movement to the Palestinian cause.
“We are out today as usual. We have been coming out for decades to show our solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine. Many have been killed for this cause, but we continue because it is mandated for all believers to stand against injustice,” he said.
Musa added that the fight against injustice is not limited to Muslims alone. “It is mandatory to act against injustice. The purpose of all prophets is to fight for justice. That is why we are ready to even lose our lives in the process.” He called on the Nigerian government to take a clearer and more decisive stand in support of the oppressed, particularly Palestinians.
He also criticised Nigeria’s political system, arguing that the country’s problems go beyond individual leaders. “The problem in this country is not leadership but the system. We have tried different political parties, yet the situation continues to worsen,” Musa noted.
The rally remained peaceful, consistent with the IMN’s description of the event. It formed part of the group’s broader tradition of observing International Al-Quds Day and expressing solidarity with Iran and Palestine amid regional tensions.
Other speakers at the conference, including Dr. Fatima Ismail and representatives from various states, echoed calls for unity across religious lines — Muslims and Christians alike — to confront global oppression and promote justice.
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria, inspired by the Iranian Islamic Revolution and led by Sheikh Zakzaky, has a history of such public demonstrations advocating for adherence to Islamic values, resistance to injustice, and solidarity with oppressed peoples worldwide.
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