Statement of Ahlulbayt World Assembly over Sheikh Zakzaky’s deteriorating health

AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): AhlulBayt World Assembly has issued a statement over Sheikh Zakzaky’s deteriorating health.

The full text of the Assembly’s statement is as follows:

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

Four years have passed since the onslaught by the Nigerian Army's security forces on the Husseiniya of Zaria and the house of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, Leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, on December 12, 2015.

In the course of that anti-Shiite attack, which resulted in the massacre and martyrdom of over 1,000 Shiite Muslims and the complete demolition of "Husseiniya Baqiyatullah" where religious ceremonies took place, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky was severely injured and lost one of his eyes. Despite all the international legal conventions, he and his wife were arrested and his sons were martyred.

The prominent leader of Nigerian Shia Muslims and his wife, not only suffered such cruel invasions but also were eventually transferred to a military place, underwent tortures, and were deprived of the most basic human rights.

During past week, the news indicated a deteriorating physical condition of Sheikh Zakzaky. According to the medical team's report, his blood contains a dangerous amount of lead and cadmium. Moreover, his liver suffers from a serious illness. Doctors have confirmed the Sheikh's poisoning, which is due to the bullets left in his body after he was shot by mercenaries during his arrest.

The Ahlulbayt (a.s.) World Assembly strongly condemns this atrocious and inhumane act of the Nigerian army and its security forces, which is contrary to all international norms and laws. We urge the United Nations and all human rights organizations, intellectuals and religious authorities of Islam and Christianity, as well as other civil society movements and popular associations, to voice their humanitarian protests against the Nigerian government and to echo the cry of innocence of Sheikh Zakzaky, who has no offense but endurance, dignity, and insisting on human liberty for his people.

Ahlulbayt (a.s.) World Assembly

9 July 2019

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