Israeli-Palestinian conflict: Shiites member protest in Abuja, set Israeli flag on fire

Members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shiites, have staged a solidarity protest in support of the Palestinians following a retaliatory attack on the Gaza Strip and Hamas fighters by Israel.

The Shiites protesters were sighted wielding Palestine national flags at the popular Banex Plaza and they ended their protest at the traffic light at Ahamadu Bello Way.

Shiites from the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shiites, have organized a rally in solidarity with the Palestinians in response to Israel’s military bombardment on the Gaza Strip and Hamas forces.

At the well-known Banex Plaza, Shiite protestors were seen carrying Palestinian flags, and they put an end to their demonstration at the traffic light on Ahamadu Bello Way.

The demonstrators burned their national flag in an open display of rage while screaming anti-Israeli chants.

Two days after Hamas launched their surprise onslaught that killed hundreds of Israeli civilians, Israel started bombing the Gaza Strip.

The demonstrators exhorted Nigerians to break their quiet, raise their voices, and stand in solidarity with the oppressed Palestinians while celebrating the victories achieved by Palestinians.

According to the group, the battle of the Palestinians was a fight against injustice on a worldwide scale and for all oppressed people.

The gathering read from a statement made by Sheikh Sidi Munir Sokoto on behalf of the movement:

“Palestine launched Al-Aqsa Flood to respond to the recent attacks by the Israel Occupation Forces on al-Aqsa mosque and the Gaza refugee camp
“We are demonstrating in solidarity with Palestine for the success recorded in the Al-Aqsa Flood operation against the state of Israel. Palestine launched Al-Aqsa Flood to respond to the recent attacks by the Israel Occupation Forces on al-Aqsa mosque and the Gaza refugee camp. Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, located at the heart of Jerusalem’s old city, is the third holiest site in Islam. Supporting the struggle for the freedom of Palestine is not only for Muslims alone, but for all people of conscience.

“Operation Al-Aqsa Flood was also in response to the Israeli Occupation Forces 16-year blockade of Gaza, raids inside West Bank cities over the past year, violence at al-Aqsa, increasing attacks by state of Israel on Palestinians, and the growth of settlements.

“Israel is in breach of international law, and the Palestinians are fighting to liberate their homeland from 75 years of Israeli oppression and terrorism.

“The Israel military and settlers are the terrorists, as they have been killing and abducting Palestinian women and children for many years, not the Palestinian freedom fighters who are demanding the right to return for those unjustly driven out of their homeland by the state of Israel. Armed struggle is legitimate under international law. Gaza has been under the Israeli siege since June 2007, which has caused a decline in living standards. Thus, we must condemn this injustice and oppression against the oppressed people of Palestine.

“Supporting oppressed people is human. Islam taught us that human beings are either our brothers in religion or in humanity. As said by Martin Luther King Jr., “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

“We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied to a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly”.