By Idris Umar, Zaria
Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky has called on Muslims and Christians in Nigeria to unite in order to promote peace and mutual understanding, saying that God has already brought them together in one country.
He made the call during his address at the annual Quds Day commemoration held on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Darur Rahma in Dambo, Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
In his speech, Sheikh Zakzaky expressed sorrow over the events of Ashura and commemorated the passing of Imam Hassan Mujtaba (A.S.). He also spoke about the forthcoming Arbaeen gathering.
He said this year's event coincided with the 12th anniversary of the events of July 25, 2014 (28 Ramadan 1435 AH), when the Quds Day procession was held in Zaria.
Sheikh Zakzaky recalled that Quds Day processions in Nigeria began in Zaria on the last Friday of Ramadan before spreading to other parts of the country as participation grew.
According to him, the global Quds Day event is organized to express solidarity with the Palestinian people and to oppose injustice.
Speaking about the events of July 25, 2014, he said that while similar Quds Day marches were held peacefully in many countries around the world, Nigeria was the only country where lives were lost, including those of women and children.
He also alleged that following the 2014 incident, members of his movement were attacked again the following year.
Addressing those who oppose the Quds Day procession, Sheikh Zakzaky said that if they disagreed with the event, they were free to organize their own peaceful gathering to express their views.
He stressed that they would not abandon what they believe in out of fear of death, adding that, according to their understanding of the Qur'an, martyrs are alive.
He further stated that death comes to everyone, whether through natural causes or by being killed, and called on those he accused of oppressing members of his movement to repent.
At the end of his speech, Sheikh Zakzaky again urged Muslims and Christians in Nigeria to respect one another, avoid insults and hostility, and live together peacefully in accordance with the teachings of their respective faiths.
After concluding his address, Sheikh Zakzaky greeted Islamic scholars, Christian pastors, other guests, and the families of those who lost their lives.
Among the prominent guests at the event were Pastor Yohanna Buru and a delegation of Christians; Professor Abdullahi Dalladi of Ahmadu Bello University and a team of professors; Sheikh Abul-Hamid Bello and a delegation of scholars from the Shi'a and Tijjaniyya traditions; as well as several traditional leaders.
Also in attendance on the women's side were Hajiya Zeenat Ibrahim Zakzaky, Hajiya Maryam Sani, Chairperson of the National Shuhada Foundation, and representatives of human rights organizations from various parts of the country.
The event was conducted peacefully and concluded without incident, with participants offering prayers for peace, unity, and harmony in Nigeria.
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