Ibrahim Yaqoub al-Zakzaky

Today’s daily Muslim is a prominent Nigerian Shia cleric, sheikh Ibrahim Yaqoub al-Zakzaky. al-Zakzaky is the head of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria. Of course, instead of using his position to build bridges, he spends his time spouting absurd conspiracy theories and finding numerous other ways to show the world how full of Shiite he really is.

The Islamic Movement of Nigeria is loosely based on terror group Hezbollah (Hizb’Allah) and was founded with Iranian financial support. The group has built numerous Islamic schools named after a jihadist of ages past. Despite his claims he never advocated violence, members of his group engaged in firefights with authorities in 2009 and 2014. al-Zakzaky’s response was to accuse the government of trying to wipe out his followers instead of questioning how they could have become radicalized.

“[W]hen Israel is celebrating sixty years of occupying Palestine’s land, we are mourning because the truth is Israeli state is created on the basis of terrorism and what is not yours is not yours, no matter years of oppression and hostage it would slip someday along with those supporting them,” al-Zakzaky stated in a lecture before continuing, “Israel will fall with her allies certainly.” If you want to talk about something being created on the basis of terrorism, look at the tunnels Palestinians dig into Jerusalem. Israel is a haven for Jewish people surrounded by nations rife with anti-Semitism. It is not a terrorist state. It is trying to survive.

al-Zakzaky is no stranger to legal trouble. He blames his arrests on politics, seeing himself and his Shiite followers as prime targets for government action due to bias. In reality, he’s arrested for preaching radicalism and separatism. “There is no government except for that of Islam,” he said, shortly before being handcuffed in years past. Of course, he conveniently omitted all the wonders that come with Islamic government, including lashing of adulterers and punishments for rape victims.

What is al-Zakzaky’s stated goal for the Islamic Movement of Nigeria? To establish a separate Islamic state within the nation. And he wonders why he keeps getting arrested…

At Islamic Movement of Nigeria compounds, al-Zakzaky’s followers engage in military-esque drills. al-Zakzaky has instructed them to apply for positions within the military and various police forces. What he is planning is unknown, but the writing is certainly on the wall.

al-Zakzaky is probably best known for his errant belief that terror group Boko Haram is a western conspiracy. The group, responsible for kidnapping and selling hundreds of young girls into forced marriages, routinely targets schools and other institutions it deems un-Islamic. “There’s nothing like Boko Haram,” al-Zakzaky said. “I have never seen a single man calling himself Boko Haram. Our enemies are from outside. And they are the ones behind those bombings.” al-Zakzaky then went on to claim the specter of Boko Haram was created by the Nigerian government and western authorities to “balkanize” Nigeria and take its resources.

Think al-Zakzaky’s right? Misguided? Crazy? Post your thoughts in the comments!