Iran media sheds light on 'Islamic movement' in Nigeria

• Author: SETH J. FRANTZMAN
• Published date: 30 September 2021

What did the report say?

Zakzaky called the "Islamic Movement" the "voice of the Islamic Revolution of Iran in Nigeria" and he "stressed that the movement is witnessing growth and prosperity." He added that "after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, we realized that the ideas of this revolution are similar to the ideas of us students at the university."

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Nigeria has a large Islamic community, making up around half the country and Nigeria has been plagued by extremists linked to Boko Haram in the last decade. However, the role of pro-Iranian or Shi'ite groups is more complex because Boko Haram is ostensibly rooted in Sunni extremists and linked to groups, like ISIS, that tend to be sectarian and against Shi'ites.

In his discussion, Zakzaky says he was once a student of economics and attended Islamic meetings, and he promoted the teachings of Islam. "When we were at the university, we had Islamic activities. I was in prison for nine years, seven of which were in the 1980s. They were harassed and harassed." He claims his house was raided and children killed in the past by authorities. "My wife was injured in that attack and the bullet has not left her body yet. She also has a bullet in my body and I suffer from low vision….We are still living under the supervision of the authorities and we are not allowed to talk about the attacks on us."

He says that injuries suffered in a past raid by security forces now require foreign treatment. "After our release from prison, we asked for a passport." He described the "message from Imam Hussein" in his discussion and that he observes the Shi'ite ceremonies of Ashura and Arbaeen. "Blood is victorious over the sword," he said.

He also discussed what he...