Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (Shiites) on Friday held a rally in Abuja to mourn the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.
The gathering marked the first time the group has staged a demonstration in the Federal Capital Territory since the cleric was reportedly killed on February 26 during the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel.
The rally coincided with the annual Quds Day observance and drew thousands of Shiite Muslims to the National Mosque in Abuja.
Participants were seen carrying banners, waving flags and chanting slogans condemning Israeli actions against Palestinians.
Prior to the rally, concerns over possible protests in the FCT had prompted heightened security measures across parts of Abuja.
The United States Embassy in Nigeria had also temporarily shut its operations amid fears of demonstrations.
Speaking with Punch, the Chairman of the Media Forum of the Islamic Movement, Ammar Rajab, said the group had been observing Quds Day in Nigeria for more than four decades.
According to him, the annual event typically features lectures, discussions, processions and public awareness campaigns.
Rajab said the 2026 observance was particularly significant due to the worsening humanitarian situation in Palestinian territories.
He said, “This year’s observance is particularly urgent as reports indicate that over 200,000 Palestinians have been killed or injured since October 2023, with hundreds of thousands displaced. Journalists have been barred from reporting the crisis, leaving the reality largely hidden.
“We also mourned the assassination of Ayatullah Ali Khamenei, highlighting his uncompromising stand against oppression and injustice, and reaffirmed the movement’s call for the freedom and liberation of Palestine.”
Rajab, however, dismissed reports that security operatives attacked members of the group during the rally.
“It is not true. We started peacefully and left without any intervention from the police,” he said.
Meanwhile, some residents reported traffic congestion along the Nyanya–Mararaba axis as security personnel mounted checkpoints and conducted vehicle searches following the announcement of the rally.
The movement also held a demonstration in Bauchi State in support of Palestine and Iran.
Speaking with Saturday Punch, the leader of the movement in the state, Ahmad Yashi, said the protest formed part of activities marking Quds Day, which is observed on the last Friday of Ramadan globally.
“This is a known demonstration held on the last Friday of every Ramadan worldwide under the Quds Day platform. It is to show support and sympathy for Palestinians who have been under invasion for about eight decades,” he said.
Yashi maintained that the demonstrations organised by the group had always been peaceful.
He alleged that previous breakdowns of law and order occurred due to what he described as misunderstandings by authorities regarding the group’s activities.
The IMN also reiterated its support for Iran amid the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel. According to Yashi, the killing of Khamenei would not resolve the crisis but could further escalate tensions.
“We are with Iran in heart and soul. They targeted the Iranian Supreme Leader to make the country surrender, but they are mistaken. The Supreme Leader, as a religious authority, was among those dousing tensions,” he said.
He also criticised Western powers, accusing them of contributing to global instability.
“Islam is a peaceful religion, but the West is the problem. They are selfish and want everyone to bow to them. This will not happen; those days are gone,” Yashi added.
He disclosed that members of the movement in Bauchi had earlier staged a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with Iran.
“We conducted a peaceful demonstration in support of Iran, and every Muslim must take a side in this war. You are either with the righteous or with the oppressors,” he said.
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