Shaykh Zakzaky and Shaykh al-Nimr

Tawfiq al-Sayed

Rabi' al-Thani 22, 1437 2016-02-01

Letters To The Editor

by Tawfiq al-Sayed (Letters To The Editor, Crescent International Vol. 44, No. 12, Rabi' al-Thani, 1437)

Committed Muslims have been faced with some very nasty situations in recent days at the hands of oppressors. The massacre of more than 1,000 supporters of Shaykh Ibrahim Zakzaky in Nigeria on December 12–13, 2015 was followed by the execution by beheading of Shaykh Nimr al-Nimr in Saudi Arabia on January 2. Why these barbaric acts? Shaykh Zakzaky is well known for his soft spoken manner. That he was attracting a lot of followers shows the effectiveness of his approach.

Shaykh Zakzaky’s fault was that he drew attention to Zionist crimes in occupied Palestine. Quds Day rallies were huge affairs in Nigeria. Given the Zionist army’s close ties with the Nigerian military and regime, the attack on Shaykh Zakzaky’s supporters was almost certainly instigated by the Zionists.

Shaykh al-Nimr was the victim of a Saudi witch hunt. The Najdi Bedouins have taken leave of their senses. They have faced repeated defeats in places like Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. Internally, there is growing discontent against their oppressive rule. The Saudis have lashed out and wanted to exact revenge from Shaykh al-Nimr for his bold stand for the rights of all people in the Kingdom. He called for an end to intimidation and exploitation.

The Nigerian military and regime as well as Bani Saud will pay a heavy price for their crimes.

Tawfiq al-Sayed
Detroit, MI, US