We strongly condemn the atrocities committed against Shaykh Zakzaky and his family and we hold the Nigerian government accountable for them
In a meeting with some of the members of Shaykh Zakzaky’s family, Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi praised Shaykh Zakzaky as a brave person and a true hero who remains firmly committed to his noble cause, though he has lost six of his sons defending the cause of Islam.
His eminence expressed his deepest sadness for the terrible health conditions of Shaykh Zakzaky and his wife and stated: “There is not an atrocity and wrongdoing that the Nigerian government has not committed against the Shaykh and his family; unfortunately, the so-called international organizations are completely indifferent about this issue.”
Expressing his deep resentment at the dead silence of the so-called supporters of human rights and the heads of the Muslim states at this gross injustice, he further noted: “We strongly condemn the atrocities committed against Shaykh Zakzaky and his family and we hold the Nigerian government accountable for them.”
Calling for the prominent Muslim figures and intellectuals to break their silence and take actions to end the terrible injustice that Shaykh Zakzaky has been suffering for such a long time, his eminence continued: “We call the Muslim thinkers and prominent figures to take actions and voice their objection to this issue; we also demand the Nigerian government to act responsibly and immediately end its inhumane and cruel treatment of Shaykh Zakzaky.”
Referring to the role of Shaykh Zakzaky in attracting the Nigerian people toward Islam and the school of the Ahl-al-Bayt (ʻa), Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi called the sacrifices made by the Shaykh and also the atrocities and injustices committed against him of little precedent in the history of Islam.
His eminence also stated: “Shaykh Zakzaky is, in effect, the living martyr of the Muslim world; we hope that the voices of the Muslim figures and scholars reach the Nigerian government and that they will agree to transfer Shaykh Zakzaky to one of the Muslim countries for immediate medical care and treatment.”
His eminence then added: “Shaykh Zakzaky never did anything against the government and he certainly never rose up against it. He is now being punished so cruelly merely because he is an influential figure and because the people love him.”
Calling for more effective action by the Iranian government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Media to pursue the issue until Shaykh Zakzaky is freed, he further stated: “It is necessary at this point that our objection be heard by the Nigerian government and that the issue be pursued to the point where Shaykh Zakzaky is no longer under the horrible conditions in which he is currently being held.”
In the end, Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi prayed for Shaykh Zakzaky’s well-being and good health and further praised him for his great patience in the face of sufferings.
