Activities within Kaduna metropolis came to a stand still as members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) in their thousands took to the streets to commemorate this year’s International Quds Day.
They marched peacefully along the main city center on Ahmadu Bello Way chanting slogans calling for the freedom of Palestine from Israeli aggressions and the release of Sheikh Zakzaky, the leader of the IMN.
Addressing teaming protesters at the close of the event, the head of the Kaduna center of the IMN, Sheikh Aliyu Tirmizi said the theme of his year’s protest is “Free Sheikh Zakzaky”.
“The Quds Day is set aside to show support for the oppressed people of Palestine and indeed other oppressed people of the world and is commemorated in all cities of the world” he said.
The Sheikh explained that the declaration of the Quds Day has created awareness on the suppression of innocent Palestinians by the illegal state of Israel and indeed founded a spirit of resistance against oppression.
He condemned the occupation of the Palestinian lands, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem by the Zionists and the continued murder of innocent people by the Israelis.
He added “the day is uniting people of conscience all over the world against the Zionists’ suppression irrespective of race, region or religion.”
Sheikh Tirmizi noted that this year’s theme is calling for the freedom of the leader of the Movement who is placed under illegal detention by the government despite court’s order for his unconditional release.
He recalled how the IMN leader’s residence was attacked by armed soldiers in a killing spree and over one thousand IMN members were killed including three sons of the leader in the Zaria massacre of December 2015.
The cleric added that the Movement shall continue to seek redress through peaceful means despite government’s impunity and partiality against the group.
