He is the founder of the Nigeria's Islamic Movement and began propagating Shia Islam around 1979, at the time of the Iranian revolution.
We'd be seeing Ibrahim Yaqoub El Zakzaky's biography, date of birth, age, family, parents, wives, children, early life, education, career, controversies, net worth, houses, cars, sociial media handles and everything else you'd love to know about him.
Don't forget to drop us a comment and share to your friends at the end of the article.
Ibrahim Yaqoub El Zakzaky Profile
Before we continue, here's a quick run down on Ibrahim Zakzaky's biography and a few things you'd love to know about him.Full Name: Ayatollah Ibrahim Yaqoub El Zakzaky
Other Names: Ibraheem Zakzaky; Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky
Date of birth: 5th May, 1953
Age: 66 years
Nationality: Nigeria
Residence: Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria
Alma Mater: Ahmadu Bello University (Economics)
Spouse(s): Zeenah Ibraheem
Children: Muhammad, Nusaiba, Suhaila, Ahmad (killed 2014), Hameed (killed 2014), Mahmud (killed 2014), Hammad (killed 2015), Ali Haidar (killed 2015), Humaid (killed 2015)
Known for: Founder of Islamic Movement in Nigeria
Net Worth: [scroll down]
Ibrahim Zakzaky Biography, Date Of Birth, Early Life, Family, Education, Career, Controversies
Born on the 5th of May, 1953, Ayatollah Ibrahim Yaqoub El Zakzaky (alternately Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky, Ibraheem Zakzaky) is the head of Nigeria's Islamic Movement.He founded the movement in the late 1970s, when he was still studying at the Ahmadu Bello University and began propagating Shia Islam around year 1979, around the time of the Iranian revolution in which Iran’s monarchy was overthrown and replaced with an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Khomeini.
Ibrahim always believed that the establishment of a republic along similar religious lines in Nigeria would be feasible and has been severally detained due to accusations of civil disobedience and the fact that he is being viewed with suspicions by the Nigerian authorities as a threat.
He was detained in December 2015, when the Nigerian Army raided his residence in Zaria, killing hundreds of his followers and has been in detention since then, pending his release which had been ordered since 2016.
Early Life And Education
Ibrahim Zakzaky attended the Provincial Arabic School, Zaria from 1969-1970 and then he obtained a Grade II Certificate from the School for Arabic Studies, Kano from 1971-1976.He moved on to the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria from where he earned a first-class bachelor's degree in Economics. He was however denied the degree due to his Islamic activities as he was very active in student Islamic unionism during his days and even served as the the secretary-general of the Muslim Students Society of Nigeria (MSSN) at the Main Campus of the university from 1977 - 1978), and later became Vice President (International Affairs) of the National Body of the MSSN in 1979.
He went to Iran in 1979 after being impressed with the 1979 Iranian Revolution and wanted one at home. He eventually became the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and turned it into a vehicle for proselytizing and gaining followers in the 90s.
Millions of people have converted to Shia Islam in Nigeria as a result of his activities.
The Resource Forum of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) held a symposium on 'The Creation of the Illegal State of Israel' at the Arewa House, Kaduna on the 21st of May, 2008.
Quoting Zakzaky,
'when 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. Israel will fall with her allies certainly.'
Nigerian Army And Their Attacks Against The Movement
The movement has faced a lot of stiff oppositions especially from the Nigerian authorities, and many have been killed in their hundreds, including 6 of Ibrahim Zakzaky's children.Below is a quick run down on the attacks.
• The Zaria Quds day massacre
On the 25th of July, 2014, the Nigerian Army reportedly fatally shot 35 followers of Zakzaky, including three of his sons.
This was after a pro-Palestinian procession in Zaria.
• The 2015 Zaria massacre
Sheikh al-Zakzaky was injured and arrested together with his wife, and three of his remaining sons as well as hundreds of his followers were killed by the Army.• Detainment and ordered release
According to a 2nd December, 2016 judgement by the high court of Nigeria, Zakzaky was ordered to be released from the DSS into police custody within 45 days.Together with his wife, they were to be paid the sum of ₦50 million in compensation and the judge announced that the justification of 'holding him for his own protection' is not sufficient.
On the 13th of January, 2018, Zakzaky was detained at an undisclosed location without any charges and has only been allowed to see his doctor since then.
• 2019 clashes
On the 22nd of January, 2019, Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat headed to the Kaduna High Court for hearing on the bail application.They were heavily guarded by armed operatives as they made their way into the court.
July 2019, hundreds of people gathered outside government buildings to protest for the release of Ibrahim Yaqoub El-Zakzaky and the police used tear gar and gunshots to try dispersing them.
Two people died and around 40 were arrested by the police, and the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) have said they wouldn't stop the protests until their spiritual leader is released.
Personal Life
Ibrahim Zakzaky is married to Zeenah Ibraheem and they have nine children together. Three were killed in the 2014 Zaria Quds Day massacres, another three were killed in the 2015 Zaria massacre and only three are currently living.Ibrahim Zakzaky Net Worth
Ibrahim Zakzaky is one of the most influential religious leaders in Nigeria. We however couldn't estimate his net worth and would make that available as soon as possible.Social Media Handles
Ibrahim Zakzaky isn't active on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. There is however a Twitter page dedicated to protesting for his release online.You can get the latest information about him from that too!
What's more? Thanks a lot for reading along. Don't forget to drop us a comment and share to your friends.
Before you leave, also check out our next article on COZA founder, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo's biography.
His current net worth will surely leave you shocked.
We give you the best daily information on news, technology, lifestyle, career, health tips, agriculture, business and entertainment. If you can write very well and want to make a living writing online, click HERE!