Zarif, who is on a diplomatic tour of West African countries, condemned the continued detention of Zakzaky by the Nigerian Government, noting that the cleric’s release would positively influence the fight against Islamic extremism such as the Boko Haram insurgency.
According to Iranian cleric, Ali Fallah Zaroumi, who accompanied the Iranian foreign minister during a visit to President Muhammadu Buhari said Zarif “expressed serious concern as to Zakzaky’s physical condition.”
Zaroumi said the foreign minister “sternly demanded Zakzaky’s freedom as a person who has invited all Muslim sects toward preserving unity among each other.”
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Similarly, Iranian Islamic Scholar, Ali Ma’boudi, while speaking to the Iranian media, accused the Nigerian government of being cruel to Zakzaky, adding that other Islamic scholars must not watch Zakzaky suffer.
“The Nigerian government has tortured Sheikh Zakzaky in the most inhumane way, they are trying to end his life the same way Saudi regime did to Sheikh al-Nimr, therefore Islamic scholars must not keep silent.”
Meanwhile, the deputy representative of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, further condemned the Nigerian government, alleging “physical and mental tortures” on the leader of the Nigerian Shia movement.
“The Nigerian government have (sic) imposed the worst physical and mental tortures on Shaykh Zakzaky, they are trying to end Shaykh Zakzaky’s life the same way Al Saud put an end to Shaykh al-Nimr’s life. Therefore human rights activists, along with Islamic scholars must not keep silent.”
Recall that The WHISTLER earlier reported in January, Iranian Government’s stern warning to the Nigerian authorities after all the diplomatic channels it employed failed to yield any results.