Why it matters:
International Quds Day, established in 1979 by the Late founder of the Islamic Revolution of Iran, Ayatollah Khomeini, serves as a global demonstration against Israeli aggression and in support of Palestinian freedom.
The big picture:
The Quds Day marches were held in cities including Bauchi, Potiskum, Katsina, Kano, Lagos, Kaduna, Azare, Sokoto, Zaria, Jigawa, and Yola. While these demonstrations were peaceful, the Abuja procession was violently disrupted when Nigerian security forces opened fire on unarmed protesters. Reports indicate that the dead bodies were taken to an undisclosed location.
What we're hearing:
Abdullahi Musa, National Secretary of the Academic Forum of the Islamic Movement, confirmed in a phone call to Iran Press that multiple people were killed, though the exact number remains unclear.
Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) condemned the attack in a press statement, criticizing the Nigerian military for targeting peaceful demonstrators instead of protecting citizens.
Details:
- Protesters carried Palestinian flags and banners denouncing Israeli occupation.
- Some women carried shrouded baby models to symbolize the children killed in Gaza.
- Slogans against Zionism were chanted in both English and Hausa.
Go Deeper:
This isn’t the first time Nigerian authorities have cracked down on Quds Day events. In 2014, the Nigerian army killed more than 30 unarmed marchers, including three sons of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria. These incidents continue despite Nigeria’s constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech, expression, and peaceful assembly.
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Hossein Vaez
