Maulid (represents birthday of Muslim Prophet) and Free Zakzaky colorful processions filled Bauchi, and other states of Nigeria Thursday. The interfaith and inter-tribe harmony activists were seen dressed beautifully in Igbo and Nun and other attires as they marched the streets of Sokoto, Bauchi and other states..
Khalid I. Doya; IMN
On Thursday 24 December 2015 morning hundreds of thousands of Muslims trooped to various streets of Bauchi to celebrate the birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ( sawa ).
As usual, the procession began in Kobi football pitch.There was a widespread acceptance of the programme this year as people from every nook and cranny were filled with joyful sense of camaraderie and love for the Holy Prophet (saw).
Moreover, dozens of youth groups, Islamic schools had liaised with the Riayala Committee which is set up by the government to ensure a hitch -free programme.
Thanks to gallant efforts of the committee, there was no noticeable problem recorded during the exercise. On the part of the followers of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, the mood was different from the previous exercises because apart from the celebrations, their hearts were filled with resentments over the kind of repression being meted out to their fellow members and the continued detention of their spiritual
leader Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky.
His house, graveyards, and their famous sanctuary, Hussainiyya Baqiyyatullah were all demolished and desecrated. Soldiers have also killed more than one thousand of his members including three (3) more of his children.
All these atrocities were committed against them despite the fact that they have never carried arms against the state. During the procession,
a lot of people had commiserated with the members over the heavy losses of lives. They also strongly spoke out against the continued detention of Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky who is being held by the Nigerian security forces. It could be recalled that since the fateful day of
the massacre on 12 December, various human rights groups have denounced the barbaric massacre.
In these pictures, free Zakzaky campaign was taken to emir of Bauchi in his palace:
Igbo attire during the procession
