Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, commonly referred to as Shi’ites, strongly denounced the Israeli air strikes targeting the Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza City, Palestine, on Friday.
The IMN members, following their Juma’at Prayers at the National Mosque in Abuja, organized a protest in which they characterized the attack as “a massacre and a breach of international laws.” They passionately called on fellow Nigerians to extend their support to the people of Palestine during this difficult time.
Sheikh Sidi Mainasara, speaking on behalf of the IMN, conveyed their commitment to the principles of justice and opposition to tyranny, which are deeply ingrained in the teachings of their leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky. The IMN urged Nigerians to break the silence that surrounds this issue and to vocally express their solidarity with Palestine.
The statement issued by the IMN elaborated on the situation, stating, “We are protesting today to condemn the Israeli air attack on the Greek Orthodox Saint Porphyrius Church in Gaza City, Palestine. Situated in a historic district of Gaza City, this church stands as the oldest functioning church in Gaza. Over the course of generations, the church has provided a sanctuary for individuals of diverse faiths. The attack occurred late last night and follows a previous assault on a Gaza hospital, which resulted in the tragic loss of over 500 lives. We firmly believe that this constitutes a massacre and a blatant violation of international laws.”
Furthermore, the statement emphasized their leader’s teachings, explaining, “Advocating for justice universally and opposing oppression and tyranny in all forms are integral components of the teachings of our leader, Shaikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky (H). For over three decades, the Islamic movement, under the guidance of Shaikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H), has been organizing programs and protests to stand in solidarity with the oppressed Palestinian people.”
In light of these circumstances, the IMN fervently called upon the entire Nigerian populace to shatter the prevailing silence and actively voice their support for the oppressed Palestinians. They vehemently condemned the attack on the Gaza hospital, holding the state of Israel responsible for this grave atrocity.