Millions of adherents of the Islamic movement under the leadership of His Eminence, Shaikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, participated in thi...
This was contained in a statement issued by the Media Forum of the Islamic movement and signed by Ibrahim El-Tafseer.
According to the statement, the annual symbolic trek was organised to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Husain (AS), the grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWW), as part of the global Arba'een remembrance observed 40 days after Ashura.
The statement noted that the Kano Axis began its four-day symbolic trek on July 29, with participants from Kano, Borno, Yobe, Jigawa and parts of Katsina State trekking to Zaria, where they concluded the exercise on August 2.
It added that the Pambegua Axis, comprising participants from Bauchi, Yola, Gombe, Nasarawa, Soba, Jos and Saminaka, commenced its procession on July 31 before also concluding in Zaria on August 2.
Other participating routes included the Kaduna, Malumfashi, Funtua, Kwanar Malam Mudi and Gadar Gayan axes, whose participants later converged in Abuja on August 3 for the central Arba'een commemoration.
According to the statement, the Abuja symbolic trek was conducted through the Maraba and Suleja routes, bringing together mourners from different parts of the country.
The organisers said millions of adherents of the Islamic Movement, alongside other sympathisers, participated in the various processions, describing the annual exercise as one of the largest religious activities organised by the movement in Nigeria.
The statement explained that participants viewed the symbolic trek as an expression of devotion, sacrifice and steadfastness, reflecting the values of justice and resistance against oppression exemplified by Imam Husain (AS).
It added that the annual exercise also serves as a demonstration of solidarity with the family of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) and a remembrance of the events that followed the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.
The statement further noted that the women and children who survived the tragedy of Karbala were subjected to severe hardship after the martyrdom of Imam Husain (AS), describing Arba'een as a commemoration that concerns the entire Muslim Ummah rather than any particular Islamic school of thought.
According to the statement, the movement believes that the stand taken by Imam Husain (AS) against tyranny continues to inspire contemporary struggles for justice, including the Islamic Revolution in Iran, the Palestinian resistance and the activities of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.
The statement said the 1448 AH Arba'een programmes reached their climax on Tuesday, corresponding to 20 Safar 1448 AH, at the Suleja Township Stadium on the outskirts of Abuja, where Shaikh Zakzaky delivered the closing address before thousands of participants.
In his address, the Islamic Movement leader said Arba'een marks the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Husain (AS) and recalled the visit of Jabir ibn Abdullah al-Ansari (RA), whom he described as the first Companion of the Prophet to visit the Imam's grave after the tragedy of Karbala.
Shaikh Zakzaky said love for Imam Husain (AS), the Ahlul Bayt (AS) and their companions remains a defining characteristic of true faith, praying that Allah resurrect believers in their company.
He also described Arba'een as one of the distinguishing signs of a believer, citing a tradition attributed to Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS), and said the commemoration had grown into a global phenomenon despite historical attempts to suppress the legacy of the Ahlul Bayt (AS).
Reaffirming Imam Husain's declaration, "Hayhāt Minnā al-Dhillah" (Far be it from us to accept humiliation), Shaikh Zakzaky maintained that followers of Imam Husain (AS) would never submit to oppression or abandon their religious obligations regardless of persecution.
He also paid tribute to the 21 victims of the 1435 AH Arba'een procession bombing along the Kano axis, describing them as martyrs and reaffirming the movement's commitment to the ideals of Imam Husain (AS).
According to the statement, the closing ceremony featured a ma'atham presentation by Ittihadus Shu'ara, display performances by Hurras and Intizar, and a dramatic reenactment of the events of Karbala by IM Production before the Leader delivered his keynote address.
The organisers said the programme ended with prayers for the safety of participants, who departed peacefully to their respective destinations.
The Media Forum stated that the successful conclusion of the symbolic trekking exercise reaffirmed the movement's commitment to preserving what it described as the universal message of Karbala, centred on faith, justice, sacrifice, steadfastness and resistance against oppression.
No comments