The Media Forum of the Islamic movement in Nigeria has rejected allegations made by the Michael Freeman , accusing him of attempting to as...
The Media Forum of the Islamic movement in Nigeria has rejected allegations made by the Michael Freeman, accusing him of attempting to associate Iran and the Islamic Movement with terrorism and instability in Nigeria and the wider West African region.
In a press statement signed by the Media Forum of the Islamic movement and issued on March 6, the group described the ambassador’s claims as false and warned that such accusations could signal a possible “false-flag terrorism” plot allegedly linked to Israel.
The movement said it was both “inappropriate and unacceptable” for a representative of a state it accused of committing genocide and grave violations of international law to accuse others of terrorism or insecurity.
According to the statement, Israel is currently under global scrutiny over its actions in Gaza, where it claimed more than 70,000 people have been killed in less than three years, with over 70 per cent of the victims reported to be women and children. It said the alleged atrocities have been documented by international organisations and human rights groups.
The forum further referenced the legal status of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stating that he has been declared wanted by the International Criminal Court. It added that the prime minister reportedly avoids travelling to several countries, including many in Europe, due to fears of arrest as some nations have indicated readiness to enforce the court’s order.
“It is therefore ironic that the representative of such a state seeks to label others as sponsors of terrorism,” the statement said.
The Islamic movement also described the ambassador’s attempt to link it with terrorism as “a blatant falsehood” and “a dangerous and failed attempt to incite tension and chaos among Muslims in Nigeria.”
According to the statement, the Islamic movement is not an organisation but a principled movement built on an ideology that advocates justice and resistance against oppression.
The forum maintained that in more than five decades of Islamic activism in Nigeria, no court of law has ever convicted the Islamic Movement of terrorism or violent activity.
“At no point in our history have the adherents of the movement attacked any individual or organisation in the name of the movement,” the statement said, adding that such allegations exist only “in the imagination of those seeking to demonise Muslims and silence legitimate voices of solidarity with oppressed people.”
The group also argued that its members, like all citizens, have the constitutional right to express solidarity with oppressed people around the world and that exercising this right should not be criminalised.
It stated that standing with oppressed people has always been part of the movement’s identity and history.
“Historically, the Islamic Movement has consistently spoken against injustice and oppression wherever they occur,” the statement said, adding that its solidarity with Palestinians and other oppressed communities globally is based on moral conviction, humanitarian concern and universal principles of justice.
The forum further stated that the Israeli ambassador had “no moral standing” to accuse others of violence while representing a state it said had been widely found guilty of committing grave atrocities against civilians in Palestinian territories.
It also urged the Nigerian public to disregard what it described as unfounded allegations and to remain vigilant against attempts to create division, misinformation and hostility among citizens.
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