Why it matters:
The conference underscores growing grassroots resistance across West Africa against Western and Israeli influence. It also signals the resilience of Nigeria’s Shi'a movement amid escalating state pressure and their deepening ties with broader geopolitical causes, especially Palestine.
The big picture:
This year’s gathering wasn't just about religious dialogue. Speakers tied domestic oppression to global imperialism, with repeated criticism of U.S. and Israeli policies.
The event served as a platform for cross-border solidarity, from West Africa to Gaza, while advocating resistance to neocolonial powers like France and the United States.
What he's saying:
In a pre-recorded address, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, said:
“Our mission is not merely spreading Shi'a Islam, it is to uproot oppression and establish justice.”
He drew inspiration from the late founder of the Islamic Revolution, Imam Khomeini (R.A), emphasizing that members include Sunnis and Christians, united by shared resistance to imperialism.
Key points:
- Nigerian security forces disrupted the original venue on Friday night, threatening violence if attendees didn’t disperse. Organizers quickly relocated to the Hussainiyyah of Imam Reza in Kano.
- Participants came from Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, highlighting regional momentum behind the movement.
- Topics ranged from the oppression of Palestinians to Western imperialism in the Sahel.
- Malama Zeenah Ibrahim one of the speaker in International Conference on Islamic Thought condemned Israel’s actions in Gaza and praised resistance in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
- Hajia Haoua of Niger’s Women Activists Association stressed the role of women in expelling foreign forces from her country.
Go deeper:
Islamic Movement in Nigeria has long faced violent crackdowns, especially since a 2015 military assault that left hundreds dead. Yet the group’s increasing alignment with global anti-imperialist narratives, from Palestine to the Sahel, signals a shift toward transnational activism grounded in faith and resistance.
Hossein Vaez
