TEHRAN
(Tasnim) – Iran’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned deadly attacks on Shiite Muslims
attending religious mourning processions in Nigeria, stressing the
Nigerian
government’s responsibility to ensure security for people.
Following
Wednesday’s attacks on Shiite mourners in Nigeria’s cities of Kaduna and
Funtua, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi called for efforts to
end “cruel and violent acts by extremist and Wahhabi-affiliated forces that
are, unfortunately, either supported or ignored by the Nigerian police.”
He underscored
the need for the perpetrators of the bloody shootings to be immediately
arrested and brought to justice.
Qassemi also
highlighted the Abuja government’s responsibility for protection of Shiite
mourners and ensuring security of the religious rites.
At least nine
Shiite mourners were killed in Kaduna and Futuna on Wednesday after troops
opened fire on them at Ashura processions, an event marking the anniversary of
martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shiite Imam.
Tensions have
been running high between the regime and Nigeria's Shiite Muslims who have been
demanding the release of prominent cleric Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky from prison.
The
confrontation follows a spate of arrests over recent days of members of the
Islamic Movement in Nigeria, the mainstream Shiite group led by Sheikh Zakzaky.
The government
has imposed a ban to prevent the movement’s supporters from attending
ceremonies marking the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS).
Follow Solenzo Blog on
0 Comments