Ashura mourning procession ‘ll be peaceful – Shi’ites

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria otherwise known as Shi’ite has denied insinuations that the Shi’ite annual religious mourning procession, popularly known as Ashura will be violent in Abuja and other cities across the nation.
This is contained in statement by the sect’s spokesman, Mallam Ibrahim Musa which was made available to journalists, yesterday.
The statement read in part: “This message to say the least is mischievous and is aimed at causing unnecessary hysteria among citizens.
How can one rationalise this blandishment based on the notion that the Shi’as would hold a protest march in Abuja and other cities? “We have been holding these annual Ashura marches for decades here in Nigeria peacefully and this year’s own won’t be an exception.
“For those who are hearing about Ashura procession for the first time, it is held annually on the 10th of the first Islamic calendar month, Muharram, to commemorate the martyrdom of the third rightly guided Imam, Hussein (as), and scores of his companions who were mostly members of the Prophet’s family at the hands of the despotic ruler of the time, Yazid (LA).
“Ashura mourning session has been happening in Nigeria since time immemorial in various forms; most notable of which is the one marked by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, when mourners of Imam Hussein (as), the grandson of the Prophet (S), mostly clad in black, hold flags and banners to solemnly march in a funeral procession.
“Previous processions in the recent past have been characterized by state-sponsored terror attacks on mourners by the government, especially in Kaduna, Funtua and Jos, leading to wanton loss of lives and properties.”

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