In the Nigerian capital of Abuja, dozens of Shia Muslims organized a demonstration to express support for Iran and solidarity with the Palestinian cause. The gathering took place despite a significant deployment of security forces around the National Mosque.
Following Friday prayers within the mosque's courtyard, participants raised Palestinian flags and chanted slogans opposing the United States and Israel, while voicing support for Palestine and Iran. The event coincided with the annual observance of International Quds Day, held on the last Friday of Ramadan to demonstrate support for Palestinians and reject the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
The demonstration was led by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), a Shia group known for its alignment with Iran. Approximately two hundred people assembled in the mosque's square before dispersing after about fifteen minutes—a brief gathering that appeared to take the extensive security presence by surprise.
During the protest, attendees chanted slogans condemning the United States and Israel and reaffirmed their ongoing support for the Palestinian cause. Participants also called for an end to what they described as American-Israeli aggression against Iran, Iraq, and Lebanon, and demanded the withdrawal of foreign military forces from the Middle East.
These protests occurred amid heightened regional tensions following the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which the demonstrators attributed to American-Israeli actions against Iran. Nigerian authorities had previously intensified security measures in the capital, establishing checkpoints on roads leading into Abuja in anticipation of potential protest activities.
It is noteworthy that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria was banned in 2019 after being accused of advocating for an Islamic revolution in the country. However, some analysts have characterized the group's activities as primarily focused on political protest rather than armed violence.