Shaykh
Ibrahim Zakzaky, a highly respected alim and leader of the Islamic Movement in
Nigeria was shot and badly wounded in December 2015. The Nigerian army murdered
at least 100 members of the movement including three sons of the Shaykh. His
wife was also attacked and injured. The group’s compound was bulldozed. Despite
international protests and diplomatic representations, the Shaykh and his wife
remain incarcerated in terrible conditions.
On
December 2, 2016, Justice Gabriel Kolawole of Fedeeral High Court 6 in Abuja
dismissed all charges against the Shaykh. He also ordered Shaykh Zakzaky’s
immediate release and that of his wife. The judge also ordered the Nigerian
government to provide him not only a house but also compensation and adequate
security.
Far
from adhering to the court ruling, the Nigerian government has appealed the
verdict. The Shaykh continues to suffer in terrible conditions.
Why
does the Nigerian government refuse to abide by its own court ruling and what
forces are behind the brutal assault on Shaykh Zakzaky, his family, and
movement? Two regimes in particular can be cited that have the backing of the
US: Zionist Israel and the Saudi Najdi Bedouins.
Both
regimes are terrified of the power of Islam and its spread into remote parts of
Africa. The Zionists exercise great influence over the Nigerian military; many
officers are on the Zionists and Saudis’ payroll.
They
view Shaykh Zakzaky’s revolutionary, pro-people movement as a threat to their
exploitative policies.
From
the editor’s desk
Crescent
International
VOL.
46, NO. 12 .
Jumādá
al-Ūlá – Jumādá al-Ākirah 1439 (February 2018)
No comments