In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Peace and blessings of Allah be upon Prophet Muhammad and his Infallible Progeny.
The last Friday of every month of Ramadan was declared by late Imam Ruhullah Khomaini of blessed memory (Q.S.), as the International Quds Day in which individuals, groups and nations commemorate the seizure and usurpation of Al-Aqsa Mosque, in addition to the continued suppression of Palestinians on their land. It is also a day for identifying and lamenting and solidarity with the oppressed people across the world, irrespective of faith and location.
Thus by this peaceful procession, we are reaching out to remind people beyond borders of the significance of Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and its continued desecration by the Zionists usurpers for over 60 years. This procession is simultaneously taking place with fellow Muslims and non-Muslim freedom lovers worldwide. It has been established through Islamic historical texts and authentic traditions that, Al-Aqsa Mosque was the first Qiblah (direction) of the Muslims. Its vicinity is central pivot to Islam, just like the Holy Qa’abah in Mecca (Qur’an 7:1).
Unfortunately, Al-Aqsa Mosque and its environs are now under the firm grip of the Zionists regime, the illegal state of Israel. Muslims are sanctioned from worship in it, a strategy to cripple their bond of unity and suppress their resistance. Mass massacre, demolishing of homes, target bombings and assassinations, as well as illegal detentions and imprisonments of both Muslim and non-Muslim Palestinians are increasing day by day. It is an open secret that, the sophisticated military hardware being used by Israeli to murder innocent Palestinians are chiefly provided by the U.S. and other so-called super power nations. These Western imperialist countries planned the occupation of Palestine, and are therefore employing the crudest form of crime to sustain the Zionist regime.
As we are marching today, our brothers and sisters in Palestine are being subjected to perpetual fear and intimidation, while the Western media, human rights groups and painfully Arab leaders have either kept silent, or gave tacit support to the war crime. The case of Syria and Yemen is a clear example, where Saudi Arabia is championing an unprovoked offensive on innocent Yemenis alongside its brothers-in-crime- The U.S. and its allies. On this day we also ponder on this and similar satanic conspiracies, which will give us a better understanding of the genocide taking place in Palestine and other parts of the Muslim world today.
While the Palestinians and people in Gaza were under severe bombardment last year, concerned members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria under the able leadership of His Eminence Shaikh Ibraheem Ya’qoub Zakzaky (H) had their own share of the massacre championed by the local puppet of the Zionists in the name of Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. After the peaceful Quds Day procession in Zaria on 28th Ramadan, 1435 (July 25, 2014), Nigerian soldiers under the command of one Colonel S. O. Oku of Basawa Barrack in Zaria, shot and killed 34 people in cold blood, including 3 biological sons of Shaikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) and wounded. Among those shot were two concerned Christians; 68-yeaar-old Julius Anyanwu died, another Christian woman survived. Typical of the Zionist Israel Defence Force (IDF), the atrocity included detention and severe torture to death. Since then, we witnessed series of covert and overt operations with physical presence of Israel and U.S to assassinate Shaikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H). The attempts woefully failed.
What happened on July 25 last year was a pointer to the obvious fact that, the killers of innocent men, women and children in Palestine, Gaza and Yemen have spread their blood-sucking tentacles across the world. It also became crystal clear that, the issue of Palestine is a global issue that calls for concern from all peace-loving people, against the selfish interest of enemies of humanity.
Shaikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) was specifically targeted because, he remained the only genuine leader who had never kept silent on global atrocities. His call is for Muslims and Non- Muslims to wake up from their deep slumber and reject any divisional tendencies of inter and intra-religious mistrust created by enemies of humanity and unite. We should give top priority to the liberation of Quds and Palestine and bondage in whatever colouration.
As we lament the crimes and atrocities being perpetrated by the murderous Israeli regime in Palestine and around the world, we also remember the martyrs of Quds, those who laid their lives for others to live; those who gave up their today for our tomorrow. Like the candle, they burnt themselves to give others light. They are our heroes, our pride. And with their type of sacred blood and sacrifice, we are hopeful and confident that eventually truth will triumph over falsehood.
Peace be upon those who follow the right path.
Malam Abdul Hamid Bello, Zaria-Nigeria
Ramadan 23, 1436 AH (July 10, 2015)