Hawzah News Agency- The head of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria Hujjat al-Islam Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky had a meeting with Ayatollah Sheikh Muhammad Yaqoubi, one of the Iraqi scholars, held in his office in Najaf, on Saturday, May 18.
During the meeting, the Nigerian scholar said that ignorance of the enemies of Islam, their bigotry, and spreading lies about the school of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) has been significantly influential in the spread of Shiism in Africa. Those who receive this news look for its examples, and fair and truth-oriented seekers do not find a trace of truth in what the enemies attribute to the followers of the Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) school, either in terms of belief or method. Hence, this becomes a reason to acknowledge the true religion and convert to it. Therefore, we see that in an unprecedented period of almost 45 years, millions of people have been inclined toward the Shia religion by the grace of God.”
In this meeting, Ayatollah Yaqoubi also praised the patience, perseverance, and steadfastness of Sheikh Zakzaky and the Shiites of Nigeria in the sufferings they faced and are facing and the heavy price they paid, referring to the words of Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) who said, "What eases the calamities that befell me is that the Almighty God sees", he reminded that by God's grace and mercy, a major part of these problems and obstacles have been removed.”
This Iraqi scholar then praised the blessed efforts of his guest, Sheikh Zakzaky, and stated, “It is hoped that the scope of your missionary activity will expand to the whole of the African continent and not be limited to Nigeria and that it will have a good effect in those countries. What is more, the scope of the need for the Shia religion is wide and the amount of religious activity in Africa has not included all the needs up to now. Therefore, it seems necessary to establish and expand seminaries in other African countries for quick access to missionaries.”
For this purpose, Ayatollah Yaqoubi gave the necessary instructions to the person responsible for following up on the activities of African countries' representatives in his office in Najaf Ashraf, to coordinate and exchange opinions and cooperate with Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, to elevate the word "Allah" and care for the orphans of the family of Muhammad.
In this meeting, Ayatollah Yaqoubi focused on efforts and mobilization of facilities to convey the voice of pure Islam to all parts of the world and to express the greatness of the school of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) and its ability to build countries, preserve and provide solutions for the problems and challenges facing human societies.
He continued to say that special attention should be paid to propaganda and, the use of effective means appropriate to the needs of the time and the current situation and challenges facing the Islamic society with wisdom and good advice.
On the other hand, Hujjat al-Islam Sheikh Ebrahim Zakzaky appreciated Ayatollah Yaqoubi's care to African students in Najaf Ashraf and Africa Seminary and his attention to religious propagation, awakening of the Ummah, guidance, providing humanitarian services through office representatives in 25 African countries in the East And the west of the continent.
In the end, Ayatollah Yaqoubi bid a warm farewell to Sheikh Zakzaky and prayed to the great and mighty God, to protect him and keep him steadfast on his divine path.