Shi’ite Group Stages Pro-Palestine Quds Day Protest In Bauchi, Backs Iran Amid Rising Tensions
Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as the Shi’ite group, on Friday held a peaceful demonstration in Bauchi to show support for Palestinians. Ahmad Yashi, speaking on behalf of the group, said the protest was part of activities marking Quds Day, observed globally on the last Friday of Ramadan to express solidarity with Palestinians. “This is a known demonstration held on the last Friday of every month of Ramadan worldwide under the Quds Day platform. It is to show support and sympathy for Palestinians who have been under invasion for about eight decades,” he said. The group, loyal to Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, emphasized that its demonstrations have historically been peaceful, attributing any past disturbances to misunderstandings by authorities. Yashi also voiced the group’s support for Iran amid tensions involving the United States and Israel, warning that targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would worsen the situation. “We are with Iran in heart and soul. They are targeting the Iranian Supreme Leader to make the country surrender, but they are mistaken. The Supreme Leader, as a religious authority, is among those dousing tensions,” he said. He described Islam as a religion of peace but criticized Western powers for fueling global unrest. “Islam is a peaceful religion, but the West is the problem. They are selfish and want everyone to bow to them. This will not happen; those days are gone,” Yashi added. He noted that members of the movement in Bauchi had previously conducted another peaceful demonstration in support of Iran. The Bauchi State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer Nafiu Habib, said officers were deployed to protect government facilities and monitor the protest. Habib confirmed that the demonstration was carried out peacefully with no incidents reported. “Until now, there is no report of any breakdown of law and order,” he said.
