Self-Explanatory Photo of Ibrahim Zakzaky after His Arrest
Dr.Mazhar Naqvi
The killing of Imamis and arrest of their leader Mualllim
Ibrahim Zakzaky should be perceived as yet another attempt to curb Hussaini
Ideology on fabricated facts. The Nigerian government is simply following the policy
of Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphs and trying to justify its action by presenting a
totally different version of what actually happened in Zaria since December 11,
2015.The government has accused Imami leader of instigating his followers to block
and attack convoy carrying army chief of staff Lieutenant-Colonel Tukur Buratai
to a swearing-in ceremony for army recruits in Zaria. Nigerian Imamis have dubbed
the official version as totally false and baseless. They are also staging
demonstrations over the arrest of their leader and killing of innocent Imamis
by Nigerian troops unnecessarily. Their version reveals that troops opened fire
on unarmed people while they were busy observing an annual ritual of exchanging
flags.
The claim of Nigerian government is not very convincing if one
looks at what has happened in Nigeria since 2014.Zakzaky had lost his three
sons and 30 followers while staging a pro -Palestine demonstration in 2014.As
recently as by the end of November 2015, a suicide bomber had killed at least
21 members of Zakzaky’s Islamic Movement in Nigeria during annual Arbaeen procession
from Kano to Zaria. The latest incident is likely to bring more turmoil in
Nigeria. The government has already poor record in curbing the menace of Boko Haram
that had been masterminded attacks on Imami processions. The sharp reaction
over the arrest of Zakzaky and killings of his supporters indicates that they
could take up arms to defend themselves from government and Boko Haram. If such
a situation arises, Nigeria may soon find herself in the grip of a civil war
like situation. The government needs to remember that Imamis have been in
Nigeria for a long time and their numbers swelled considerably after Iranian
revolution of 1979 under the leadership of Zakzaky. But there is nothing on record
to suggest that Imamis ever resorted to violence. Moreover, he has every right
to preach in accordance of his beliefs without any coercion or violence. Zakzaky
has spent almost two decades for total establishment of Islam and encountered atrocities by every regime both
civilian and military. He has been to various prisons across the country and
has been living in Kwarbai quarters in Zaria City from where he was reportedly
picked up by Nigerian army along with his wife on December 12, 2015. In his
speeches, he has never been seen or heard advocationg violence in any form despite suffering persecution
by successive regimes.
The way the powerful nations of the world has maintained silence
over unfortunate developments in Nigeria is enough to prove that Zakzaky is
being treated like his Saudi counterpart Baqar Al Nimr who awaits execution. There
is striking similarity between the cases of twin Imami leaders. Saudi
government has charged Baqar Al Nimr with instigating violence whereas he has
been subjected to inhuman torture repeatedly and kept in various prisons. Likewise,
Zakzaky too is being accused of instigating violence whereas he claims to be
living peacefully in Zaria. Who knows a trial may be initiated against him and
lead to death sentence to him like Baqar Al Nimr. Grand Ayatollah Lotfollah
Safi Golpaygani has rightly expressed concern over the alleged killings and
urged the international community to condemn it. There is urgent need to stop
Nigerian government from cracking down on Imamis. The country is facing problems
arising from extremism and Takfiri terrorism and rash and unconstructive
measures would only worsen the situation”. Nigerian government should avoid
behaving like Umayyad and Abbasid Caliphs who showed no mercy towards the descendants
of Holy Prophet even though they never posed themselves any threat to their
kingdom. They imprisoned imams and martyred them despite their peaceful
existence. In present era, only Saudi Government was believed to be successors
of Umayyad and Abbasid rulers till few years ago. Now countries like Malaysia
and Indonesia are also following the policy of Riyadh. But why Nigeria is doing
so is quite surprising, for the country has been famous for peaceful
coexistence of various sects of Islam.The government may resort to policy of Saudis, Umayad or Abbasid rulers for any reason or constraint but it should remember that Imamis have braved such persecution for centuries and no power on Earth has been able to prevent them from following the ideology of true Islam scripted by Imam Hussain with his pious blood. (Reference available on request.Photo Courtesy Google Image)
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