President Bola Ahmad Tinubu By Zailani Mustapha The All-Ja'afariyya Development Association, representing Nigeria's Shia Muslim com...
President Bola Ahmad Tinubu
By Zailani Mustapha
The All-Ja'afariyya Development Association, representing Nigeria's Shia Muslim community, has raised serious concerns over what it describes as systematic persecution against its members. The association claims that despite their commitment to peace and lawfulness, Shias in Nigeria have been subjected to repeated attacks, harassment, and discrimination.
The statement, signed by the association's National Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Hassan (Shazy), outlined several reasons for the ongoing persecution:
The Shia community asserts that they are being targeted because they do not engage in criminal activities like banditry or terrorism, which they claim are orchestrated by certain groups on behalf of foreign interests. These groups, they allege, are responsible for kidnappings, killings, and the displacement of communities to exploit resources.
The association emphasized that Shias are not affiliated with Boko Haram, a terrorist group notorious for its attacks on innocent people and the usurpation of land from vulnerable communities. The statement suggests that Boko Haram's actions serve the interests of their foreign trainers and arms suppliers.
The Shias also stated that they do not subscribe to the extremist ideologies promoted by some leaders and countries, which they claim are used to justify genocide and other crimes under the guise of religion.
The community reaffirmed its adherence to the School of Thought of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his pure progeny, which they describe as advocating unity, peace, and opposition to all forms of crimes against humanity.
The statement went on to criticize the Nigerian government's handling of security threats, accusing it of treating Shias as a greater threat than the actual perpetrators of violence, including Boko Haram and bandits. The association also expressed concern over the government's appointment of individuals who they claim are ideologues of these extremist groups.
Furthermore, the association warned against any repetition of the 2015 Zaria massacre, where thousands of Shias were killed in a military crackdown. They called on President Tinubu's government to protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation, and to end the persecution of Shias in Nigeria.
The Shia community concluded by stating that continued persecution could damage Nigeria's diplomatic image and lead to further instability in the country. They urged the government to take immediate steps to safeguard the rights and freedoms of all Nigerians.
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