Shiites Rally in Abuja for Iran and Palestine Solidarity

On February 26, 2023, members of the Islam Movement of Nigeria (IMN) organized a solidarity rally in Abuja to mourn the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and to express support for Palestine. This event marked the first protest by the group in the Federal Capital Territory following Khamenei's death, which occurred amid escalating tensions involving the United States and Israel.

The rally coincided with the annual Quds Day observance, attracting thousands of Shiite Muslims who carried banners, waved flags, and chanted slogans condemning Israeli actions against Palestinians. Ammar Rajab, chairman of the IMN media forum, emphasized the worsening humanitarian conditions in Palestinian territories, reporting that over 200,000 Palestinians had been killed or injured by October 2023.

Ahmad Yashi, a leader in Bauchi, stated that the protests aimed to show solidarity with Palestinians and reaffirm the movement's support for Iran. Despite heavy security presence, the rally was reported to have started peacefully, although residents complained of traffic congestion due to security checkpoints.