The All-Ja’afarivya Development Association, a Shia Muslim community in Nigeria, has condemned the relentless attacks, harassment, and discrimination against its members.
According to statement released on Monday, the reasons for this persecution are clear: “Shias are not useful idiots or criminals who engage in banditry and terrorism, unlike some groups used by foreign enemies of our country.”
SEE ALSO: Hunger Protest: Amnesty International kicks Against Planned Mass Trial Of Activists
The statement further highlights that Shias are not Boko Haram, who create insecurity by killing innocent people, and are not stooges of leaders or countries used by globalists to usurp resources and impose ideologies that support genocide.
Abdullahi Hassan (Shazy), National Public Relations Officer, emphasised, “We urge the President Tinubu government to heed to the recent call on him by a human rights and civil society organization to avoid repeating the 2015 massacre of Shias in Zaria, simply because they are a minority Muslim religious group.”
The association demands an immediate end to the persecution of Shias and calls on the government to protect the rights and freedoms of all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation.
“We strongly reject and view continuous persecution of the Shias… as having the potentials of destroying Nigeria’s diplomatic image,” Hassan said. “It will only lead to further instability and tarnish Nigeria’s international reputation.”
The association reminded the government that Shias have the Almighty Allah to rely on and pray to, to avenge any injustice done to them.
The statement concludes by calling on the government to desist from sponsoring Boko Haram ideologues and spreading fabricated lies and hatred against the Shias through media outlets.
