The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) has fixed Tuesday for its annual Ashura procession in spite of the group’s proscription by a federal court.
According to reports, the group will embark on the procession to mark the Day of Ashura, which is the tenth day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar.
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It is observed annually by Shiite Muslims worldwide to commemorate the death of Husayn ibn Ali in the Battle of Karbala in Iraq.
Known as the third Shia Imam, Husayn was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and son of Ali ibn Abi Talib, the first Shia Imam.
Husayn was said to have died during the Battle of Karbala on October 10, 680 between his army and the army of the second Umayyad caliph Yazid I.
However, the police have warned the group against going ahead with the procession.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, had directed policemen to arrest all identified Shiiite leaders across the country.
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The IGP also directed a team of special police to dismantle IMN structures in the country, pinning its actions to the group’s proscription.
IMN members have, nonetheless, insisted they would observe the Ashura procession on Tuesday.
The group’s leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, has been in detention since his arrest in 2015.
