Hawzah News agency- Head of the Iranian Islamic Seminaries, Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, released a statement in which he condemned the recent incidents in Nigeria. The text of the statement is as follows:

In the Name of Allah

The incidents that take place from time to time in the Muslim country of Nigeria and usually end in the bloodshed of innocent Muslim youth after being shot by the security forces are considered as fratricide. The arbitrary use of guns and bullets by the Muslim military of a large country such as Nigeria against their own Muslim citizens, who are also to be regarded as their religious brothers, is an awful sign of moral corruption and lack of wisdom. The actions of those militaries that easily and ruthlessly engage in killing the Muslim people who are their religious brothers will eventually lead to instability in their countries for they avoid looking for lasting solutions to their security and stability problems.

Undoubtedly, no sane person or organization in the Islamic world would let their citizens or government undergo such imprudence. Iranian Islamic seminaries, with respect to the sovereignty of the Muslim countries especially the great country of Nigeria, invites all related parties to condemn any form of bloodshed and violent military confrontations with local Muslims; we also invite all related parties to engage in peaceful discussions to come up with logical solutions to such problems.

Would it bring about peace and stability to a country if they Slaughter their own youth and further confront the innocent citizens who are peacefully practicing their faith with violent militarism? Would it help bring stability to a nation if their soldiers attack the religious commemoration ceremonies which are held according to the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (a.s), ceremonies which commemorate the Days of Ashura or Arbaeen? If the Muslim authorities of Nigeria wish to suppress the anti-imperialist or reformist movements in their country for any reason, even because their foreign allies or world’s anti-Shiites organizations asked them to do so, it’s obvious that hostile confrontations or slaughtering the innocent people would definitely not help reach such a goal.

The Islamic world has great potential to solve the ongoing challenges in Nigeria and help make a peaceful atmosphere in order to guarantee the freedom of expression for the Nigerian Muslims to freely practice their faith and hold Islamic ceremonies. The Islamic Republic of Iran, its wise leadership, the grand sources of emulation as well as the Islamic seminaries are prepared to play any part to help create mutual understating between the Islamic movement of Nigeria and the Nigerian government.

Confronting the missionaries of Ahl ul-Bayt’s (a.s) doctrine in Nigeria is not a wise decision. Since promoting the Ahl ul-Bayt's (a.s) doctrine is a key foundation to tackle the most crucial challenges in the Islamic world, especially the terrorist threats carried out by radical groups. Fighting the Ahl ul-Bayt's doctrine is actually helping those extremist groups spread their radical terrorist thoughts, those radical groups that are operating in different parts of the world under different names.

In what part of the Islamic world have Shia Muslims ever tried to undermine the stability of their own country? Isn't it that Boko Haram and their known affiliates along with other sectarian movements which are supported by certain corrupt countries attempt to excommunicate millions of Muslims from different sects and denominations?

It's not wise to embark on killing the followers of a certain sect or doctrine which have never been involved in creating any radical, terrorist or violent groups, the followers who have never signed any alliance with any terrorist groups in any part of African continent nor the whole world. If, however, there are some protests to ask for administration of discipline, stability or creating an atmosphere in which all people observe the rules, it's necessary that Nigerian officials hold talks with their citizens without engaging in bloodshed or slaughtering them. The tension that could be resolved by discussion and negotiations most definitely would worsen by the use of daggers and bullets. Probably, the ongoing turmoil and sectarianism in the vast country of Nigeria is what some of the world's imperialist powers want, it could be what the terrorist-sponsoring countries wish for; but we believe that stability and security of Nigeria is the key and preserving the dignity, safety and lives of the Muslim Nigerians is one of the most strategic demands of the Muslim world.

Therefore, with respect to Shia sources of emulation's remarks (especially Grand ayatollah Safi Golpaygani) we ask the government of Nigeria to preserve the dignity of innocent Shia Muslims and to prevent the occurrence of such incidents in the future, and also ask the international bodies, UN Security Council, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the United Nations to carry out their international obligations in order to prevent the occurrence of such incidents and also make sure that such events do not take place again. We also ask the Iranian Foreign Ministry to follow up and discuss this issue in the international organizations and oblige the Nigerian government to support their Muslim citizens and hold trial for those who carried out such bloody incident.

There is hope that Allah almighty consoles the bereaved families of the martyrs of this tragic incident and blesses the martyrs in heaven.

Alireza Arafi

Head of the Iranian Islamic Seminaries