Iran calls on Nigeria to respect religious figures, sites

Iranian Foreign Ministry says Iran hopes that preservation of calm and national unity in Nigeria in battling terrorism is prioritized while rash and unconstructive measures are avoided.

Iran has called on Nigerian authorities to respect religious figures and sites following two days of deadly persecution against the country’s Shia Muslims.

“Nigeria… is now dealing with problems arising from extremism and Takfiri terrorism and we hope that in these conditions preservation of calm and national unity in battling terrorism is prioritized while rash and unconstructive measures are avoided,” IRNA quoted Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaber-Ansari as saying on Sunday.

Jaber-Ansari expressed sorrow over the recent bloody clashes, which broke out between Muslim worshipers and government troops earlier in the day.

Nigerian forces raided the home of the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Ibrahim al-Zakzaky, and arrested him after reportedly killing several of those protecting him including one of the group’s senior leaders and its spokesman.

Since their arrest, the fate of Zakzaky and his wife remains unknown

The developments followed the Saturday clashes between troops and Shia Muslims in the country’s city of Zaria, in Kaduna state, in which at least 15 people were killed and many more injured.

Reports said soldiers opened fire on the people attending a ceremony in Hussainiyyah Bagheeyatullah, a religious center in the northern city. The Shias had reportedly stopped the convoy of the Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai as the top Shia cleric was planning a speech in the religious center.

 

Emad Askarieh

Emad Askarieh has worked as a journalist since 2002. The main focus of his work is foreign policy and world diplomacy. He started his career at Iran Front Page Media Group, and is currently serving as the World Editor and the Vice-President for Executive Affairs at the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website.

Recent Posts

Legendary Iranian actress, voice performer Zhaleh Olov passes away

Zhaleh Olov, a celebrated actress of Iranian cinema, theater, television, and a renowned radio voice…

38 minutes ago

Iran says has not in direct contact with Syria’s new rulers

Iran has dismissed any direct contact with the rebel group that has taken power in…

1 hour ago

Italy warns Russia’s threat to Europe much wider than imagined

Moscow’s threat to Europe extends beyond defense to illegal immigration and cybersecurity, Italian Prime Minister…

1 hour ago

Deputy FM raps US for holding Iranians hostage

A deputy Iranian foreign minister has criticized Washington for taking Iranian nationals hostage under the…

3 hours ago

Iran’s interior minister warns population crisis looms

Iranian Interior Minister, Eskandar Momeni, has raised alarms over the nation's declining population growth, warning…

4 hours ago

US suggests Ukraine consider ceding territories: El Pais

US President-elect Donald Trump has sent a message to Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, asking him…

5 hours ago