The Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran Monday reacted with anger to the crackdown on Shiite Leader Sheikh Ibrahim al-Zakzaky and his followers in Zaria, North-West Nigeria, declarimg unequivocally that the Nigerian Government is responsible for detained al-Zakzaky’s safety.
Deputy Head of Iran Supreme Leader’s Office for International Affairs Hojjatoleslam Mohsen Qomi made the declaration while touring the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
“He expressed concern about whereabouts of Nigerian religious leader al-Zakzaky. He said that the Nigerian government should not let the current critical situation to get worse,” IRNA reported.
It quoted Qomi as saying: “Regretfully, in recent days we see a suspicious episode is taking place in Nigeria and the Israeli regime is likely to be clandestinely involved.
“Sheikh has been arrested by the state forces. He is alive and not martyred,” Qomi said.
“From the early stages of disappearance, masses of people in Nigeria and African countries staged rallies to condemn violation of human rights in Nigeria,” IRNA further reported Qomi as saying.
It reported that “Iranian foreign ministry held different contacts with Nigerian officials, urging them not to let the current critical situation to exacerbate.”
“The Foreign Ministry urged the Nigerian government to bring to justice those involved in abduction of the Nigerian religious leader,” the report added.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Monday summoned Nigerian charge d’affaires to protest to Nigerian Government over invasion of a Shia religious site in the city of Zaria by Nigerian army, which left too many Shia Muslims dead and wounded, reports the Iranian News Agency (IRNA).
Nigerian Shia is under leadership of Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky, who is heading Islamic Movement in Nigeria.
According to the Foreign Ministry Media Department, the ministry expressed its deep concern about the human tragedy in Nigeria.
Director of first bureau of Africa at Foreign Ministry condemned the attack as unacceptable and underlined responsibility of Nigerian Government to protect life and household of Shia Muslims, especially leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria.
The Nigerian diplomat said that the two countries enjoy excellent ties and that he will convey Iran’s concern on the issue to his government and will deliver response from the Nigerian government.
In an attack on Shia religious site and residence of Sheikh Ibrahim al-Zakzaky, leader of Nigerian Shia, in the city of Zaria, tens of Shia Muslims were killed Sunday morning.
