Shiite Muslims continue protest against ‘anti-Islam’ film in Kaduna

Nigerian Shiite Muslims made good their threat to continue their nationwide protest against the anti-Islam movie made by an Israeli-American, as thousands protested peacefully in Kaduna.

The Kaduna protest started in the early hours of Monday from Unguwar Muazu area of the Kaduna metropolis. They were joined by protesters from Rigasa while some also came in vehicles from Zaria.

The protesters chanting anti-American slogans and displaying similar banners walked past Nnamdi Azikiwe way, through to Barkin Ruwa and ended their protest at about 2.00p.m. at Tudun Wada. They were addressed by Shiite leaders at Barkin Ruwa and Tudun Wada.

 

Sources at the protest venues said it went peacefully with men of the Joint Task Force, the police, and civil defence all present to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

The protesters, including women and children, largely dressed in white were joined by hundreds of young Kano residents.

Some businesses were affected by the protest, as most shops and traders along the protest route closed their shops. The businesses re-opened at about 2.00p.m after the protesters dispersed.

Monday’s protest follows an earlier one held in Kaduna on Thursday last week, also by the Shiite Muslims.

The leader of the Nigerian Shiite Muslims, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, had promised more protests during Thursday’s remonstrations were American flags were burnt and an effigy of President Barack Obama destroyed.

“This is just the beginning, as more will be coming,” Mr. El-Zakzaky had said.

The film, which has caused major protests in the Islamic world, is still available online as search engines, like Google, have refused to remove the video.