Shia Muslims in Nigeria, Kashmir Rally in Solidarity with Sheikh Zakzaky
The peaceful rallies were held in Katsina, Nigeria, and Srinagar, Kashmir.
The participants carried banners calling for the release of the Sheikh, who is the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) who has been in jail for a year.
The prominent cleric and his wife were taken into custody on December 14, 2015, after deadly clashes between the supporters of the IMN movement and Nigerian army troops.
Nearly 350 members of the Shia movement were killed in the clashes. The sheikh was brutally injured and his house was reportedly destroyed by the army in the incident.
After detaining Zakzaky, the Nigerian government stepped up its crackdown on the IMN. In November, nearly 100 IMN supporters were killed when Nigerian forces fired live rounds and teargas at mourners during a peaceful march ahead of the Arbaeen mourning rituals, which mark 40 days after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him), the third Shia Imam. Authorities also destroyed a number of buildings belonging to the IMN.
