RNA – Grand Ayatollah Hoseyn Nouri-Hamadani has issued a message condemning the massacre of oppressed Shi’a Muslims in Nigeria and the arrest of their spiritual leader, Hujjat al-Islam Ibrahim al-Zakzaky.
In his message, the source of emulation emphasized the rights of Muslims and Shi’ites and called for prosecution of those agents involved and for the release and immediate treatment of Shaykh al-Zakzaky.
Ayatollah Nouri-Hamadani’s message is as follows:
In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
With great regret, we have recently witnessed the horrific events in Nigeria which implies the severity of the attacks on the Nigerian Shi’a Muslim community [Islamic Movement of Nigeria] and its Secretary-General, His Excellency Shaykh Ibrahim al-Zakzaky.
We condemn this action and stress the need to protect the rights of Muslims and Shi’as and the necessity to punish rogue elements of the military as well as the release and immediate treatment of Shaykh al-Zakzaky and the other wounded victims.
We consider the preservation of the unity of Muslims in the current situation in dealing with the divisive Takfiris, Salafis and Boko Haram as necessary. We call on the Nigerian government to combat their main enemy, namely Boko Haram, with all their ability.
May the peace, blessings and mercy of God be upon you,
Hoseyn Nouri-Hamadani
15 December, 2015
On December 13th, a large number of soldiers torched and destroyed several parts of Shaykh al-Zakzaky’s house before arresting the cleric. The army eventually overtook the home of the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, killing many people when Nigerian government forces opened fire on local residents who were attempting to protect the cleric.
111/112