The Anniversary was marked on Saturday the 12th September 2009 at Central Mosque Zaria by 10.00pm where scores of members of the Movement attended.
Lectures were presented by Malam Abdullahi Sokoto and Mallam Abdulhameed Bello. Both revisited the history of the 12 September event and the lessons that can drawn from it.
Mallam Bello also called on the enemies of the Shia Movement to draw some lessons from the failed onslaught 13 years ago where he said the lessons are straight and that they shall not be in a hurry to forget should they pay heed. He warned that no amount of persecution can stop the Shia Movement from carrying out its activities.
After the lectures members of the Shia Islamic Movement paid courtesy visit to Shuhada Graveyard in Zaria where scores of members killed by the Abacha regime were laying rest.
On September 12 1996 the then Military Dictator General Sani Abacha ordered an unprovoked attack and crack down on the Shia Islamic Movement in Nigeria and its leadership with view of bringing it to naught. Series of persecution were meted on the members across the nation. The crackdown was more intense in Kaduna and Zaria where scores of Members were killed.
After the arrest and detention of Sheikh Zakzaky the Government in an attempt to cover its hideous and shameless act filed a three count charges against him and those detained with him. they are:-
-Forming a common intention to excite or attempt to excite a feeling of disaffection against the government.
- To excite or attempt to excite feelings of dissatisfaction against the government.
-Reproducing by mechanical means and on the front pages of magazines “Babu Gwamnati Sai Ta Musulunci” (there is no government except that of Islam), words intended to excite feelings of dissatisfaction against the government of the Federation and Kaduna State.
In December 1998 the Government decided to withdraw all the charges against Sheikh Zakzaky in the face of impending defeat. The then Attorney General of Kaduna State, Mr. Rabo Barde stood up and informed the court of the state’s decision to discontinue with the case.
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