SHIITE: CLASHES AND THE HARVEST OF DEATHS  

SHIITE: CLASHES AND THE HARVEST OF DEATHS  

By: Balami Lazarus     

I have never wanted to write about this religious group; Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) popularly called shiite because they were proscriped in 2019 and to my mind it is wrong to do so. 

However, as a Columnist my hands etched to write and here I am doing the writing despite there is nothing much worth writing except the too many clashes and the plenty of harvest of deads that is characterised with their activities since their appearance as a religious sect within the Islamic ummah here in Nigeria.

They are looked upon with scorn and disliked among people of their faith for who they are.  Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) is one large religious body with estimated membership of over 3 million under which shiite followers belong to. This very large membership consists of men, women, youths and children. The colouration of its members is found in every human endeavour: academia, public service and in the organised private sector.   

Anyone that might have schooled or grew- up in the Zaria/ Kaduna axis is familiar with the shiite and their activities which has always made people become paranoid and apprehensive to go about their legitimate businesses simply because these activities of theirs has never ended well with the police to be precise.     

Shiite through their activities, especially the long processions that they are known with, has always resulted in clashes with road users and the police has brought about too many deaths of their members with  pockets of policemen and few innocent members of the public. Why are they known with such public disturbances? This is one big question on the lips of so many people out there.     

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Additionally, with these errors, shiite have embroiled herself in violent public disturbances and has justified herself to the public as a feared religious group with records of verified disturbances which are systematised and amplified by their clannish activities.     

Looking at other Islamic sects like Tijaniyya, Sunni and others are never known with violent public disturbances  rather they are known for public preaching and Tafsir. But shiite and their activities are considered retch with no anathema to be in confrontation with the police. The leadership of IMN should kindly go back to the boardroom and look at their challenges to come up with good policies which will help this movement religiously.     

Anyone who has been following shiite activities will agree with me that the leadership of this proscribed organisation has never for once called the attention of the wrong doings of her members. Is IMN an organised group at all?     

The spiritual leader that most people have come to know as El- Zakzaky, is Mallam Ibrahim Yakubu, his full name from birth. The Zakzaky was coined from his home town Zaria (Zazzau). Ibrahim is well- educated and knowledgeable. A 1979 economic graduate of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) with first class degree. He is a native of Zaria and lives in Gyellasu.   

Balami, a Publisher/ Columnist.    08036779290

SHIITE: CLASHES AND THE HARVEST OF DEATHS