By Hassan Ibrahim
Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky has called on Muslims and Christians across Nigeria to live together in peace and mutual respect, stressing that God has brought them together as citizens of one country.
The Islamic scholar made the appeal while delivering a speech at the annual Quds Day commemoration held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Darur Rahma in Dambo, Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
During his address, Sheikh Zakzaky expressed sadness over the events of Ashura and remembered the passing of Imam Hassan Mujtaba (A.S.), while also speaking about the forthcoming Arbaeen gathering.
He noted that this year's Quds Day commemoration marked the 12th anniversary of the events of July 25, 2014, corresponding to 28 Ramadan 1435 AH, when a Quds Day procession took place in Zaria.
Sheikh Zakzaky recalled that Quds Day processions in Nigeria started in Zaria on the last Friday of Ramadan before spreading to other parts of the country as the number of participants increased.
According to him, the global Quds Day observance is held to demonstrate solidarity with the Palestinian people and to speak against injustice.
Reflecting on the July 25, 2014 incident, he said that although Quds Day marches were conducted peacefully in several countries around the world, Nigeria was the only country where people were killed, including women and children.
He further alleged that members of his movement came under attack again the following year after the 2014 incident.
Responding to those opposed to the Quds Day procession, Sheikh Zakzaky said such individuals were free to organize their own peaceful gathering if they disagreed with the event and express their opinions.
He maintained that fear of death would not make them abandon their beliefs, adding that, in their understanding of the Qur'an, those who die as martyrs remain alive.
Sheikh Zakzaky also stated that death is inevitable for every human being, whether through natural causes or other circumstances, and called on those he accused of oppressing members of his movement to repent.
In his closing remarks, he appealed once again to Muslims and Christians in Nigeria to respect one another, refrain from insults and hostility, and coexist peacefully in line with the teachings of their respective religions.
Among the dignitaries present were Pastor Yohanna Buru and a delegation of Christians; Professor Abdullahi Dalladi of Ahmadu Bello University and a team of professors; Sheikh Abul-Hamid Bello and delegations of scholars from the Shi'a and Tijjaniyya traditions; as well as several traditional leaders.
The women's delegation included Hajiya Zeenat Ibrahim Zakzaky, Hajiya Maryam Sani, Chairperson of the National Shuhada Foundation, and representatives of human rights organisations from different parts of Nigeria.
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