All Ja’afary Shite Muslim Community in Nigeria condemned the excessive pressure and restrictions imposed by security forces on Shiite Muslims during their recent religious festivals.
This was contained in a statement issued by the National Public Relations Officer (PRO) Abdullahi Hassan (Shazy) and made available to the Saturday Tribune in Kaduna at the weekend.
The statement said, “We mourn the loss of four Shia lives, lament the wounding of over 50 others, and condemn the arrest of over a hundred innocent Shia civilians this month.
” We also strongly condemn the forceful removal of Muslim sisters’ divinely ordained dress, exposing their nakedness, and the torture of brothers and sisters in packed cells without regard for their privacy.
“We demand an end to these unjust actions and urge security forces to cease using the “IMN” label to perpetrate violence against Shias.
Instead, we call on security forces to address genuine threats to national peace and security, such as Boko Haram terrorism, banditry, and hunger
“We emphasize that the Araba’een festival is a global celebration, observed peacefully worldwide, commemorating the brutal killing of the Prophet’s grandson by Yazid in Karbala-Iraq 1,400 years ago. The Shia community is known for its peaceful nature in Nigeria and globally.
“We call on the government and security agencies to recognize and respect Shia Muslims’ rights to practice their faith without fear of persecution.
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