The fortieth day (Arbaeen) commemoration after the martyrdom of Imam Husain, the Grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) is commemorated annually by the Islamic Movement, following a symbolic trek by millions of people from across the country.
This particular one is the 19th episode, though we started with few people and confined ourselves to a particular place and recited some supplication. We thank Allah now we trek in millions, an indication that people are gradually beginning to realize the lofty position of Imam Husain (AS) in Islam.
The purpose of the symbolic trek is to recall and experience the trial and tribulation faced by the Household of the Holy Prophet (AS), chained and dragged in scorching desert, barefoot from Karbala in Iraq to Damascus in Syria after the killing of Imam Husain 61 years after Hijra. It was a period of anger and anguish at the perpetrators of injustice not just in the plain of Karbala but the world over.
The Arab’een trek has historical antecedent and religious precedence in Islam. The great Companion of the Holy Prophet (S), Jabir Bin Abdullahi al-Ansari was the first person, aged and blind, who trekked barefoot with the help of a guide to where the body of Imam Husain (AS) was buried in Karbala. It was during this pilgrimage to the tomb of Imam Husain (AS). Jabir was met by survivors from the Family of the Holy Prophet led by Imam Zainul Abideen (AS), son of Imam Husain (AS), where they spent days beside the tomb and mourned the killing of Imam Husain (AS) and other family members.
Muslims identify with members of the Holy Prophet(S) through the trek, and in answer to the call and cause of Imam Husain (AS) in Karbala. Today not only in Nigeria, but in Karbala, this Arbaeen commemoration has become the largest human gathering on earth with over 25 million people in attendance from various parts of the globe. Our trek on foot to Zaria is just another way of saying had it been there is a safe passage to Karbala from here, we would have marched to Karbala to pay homage to Imam Husain (AS) on this auspicious day.
However we are non unaware of the antagonism shown to us by some people because of this Arbaeen commemoration on foot. We will like to echo what our incarcerated leader, Sheikh Zakzaky has said in 2014 in answer to our critics. He said: “Those who oppose the trek should have come and asked us why we do what we do, and not to pass judgment on us over what they do not know. If you don’t like what we are doing, then keep your mouth shut, it is our legs we use to trek with, not yours. If you don’t like the black attire we wear, we put it on our bodies, not yours. We will never force you to trek or wear black clothes, until we do that keep your mouth shut”.
Last year’s Arbaeen trek was thwarted first by Kano state government, when it sent a combined team of security agents and gunned down close to 50 innocent people on the trek unjustifiably. It was as if Governor Ganduje was in league with his Kaduna state counterpart Elrufa’I, who had used the instruments of power to oppress members of Islamic Movement in the state since the Zaria genocide carried out by the Nigerian army in December, 2015.
We would like to assure the general public that this year’s Arbaeen trek like those before it is peaceful and devoid of any attempt to curb the right of safe passage to other highway users. Nobody should fear our Arbaeen trek. Love for Imam Husain (AS) is not the exclusive right of Muslims only right from the gruesome attack on the Imam at Karbala, but for all those who love justice and fight against oppression in all ages, ours inclusive. That is why we once again welcome our Christian brothers in humanity who have chosen on their own free will to trek with us today. This is not the first time they have identified themselves with Imam Husain, they have done it before and we thankfully welcome them. This is the handiwork of Allah, and not the trick or influence of anybody. No one forced us to embark on the trek, it is out of free will and love for the Family of the Prophet (S)”.
Though some state governments and the federal government have been plotting evil against our peaceful Arbaeen trek and commemoration of Imam Husain (AS), we pray that Allah thwart and frustrate their evil plans as he has done in the past. We will like to also reiterate our demand for the release of our revered leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky who has now spent two good years in an illegal and unconstitutional detention, even with a valid order from a competent court for his release. We will not rest on our oars until the Sheikh, his wife and others in detention since December, 2015 are set free.
*SIGNED BY*
*SHEIKH ABDULHAMID BELLO*