Shiaism and the Islamic movement in Nigeria 1979-1991

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Periodical article

Title:	Shiaism and the Islamic movement in Nigeria 1979-1991
Author:	Sulaiman, Muhammad Dahiru
Year:	1993
Periodical:	Islam et sociétés au Sud du Sahara
Issue:	7
Pages:	5-16
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	Islamic movements Islamism Shi'ites
Abstract:	The emergence of the Islamic movement in the wake of socioeconomic convulsion and political instability in Nigeria marks the resurgence of Islamic revivalism that had been effectively suppressed during British colonial rule and afterwards by the Nigerian State. After sketching the historical, political and economic context, this article traces the development of the Islamic movement after the Shia uprising in Iran in 1979 and the actions undertaken by its leader Malam Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky during the period 1979-1991, focusing on the question of whether the members of this movement can be regarded as Shias. One of the characteristics of Shiaism is the rejection of the secular State. Although there is no detailed articulation of the type of society which the Islamic movement wants to establish in Nigeria, it is clear that it denies the political legitimacy of the Nigerian State and does not recognize its laws. Nevertheless, the Nigerian Muslims are not Shias in the theoretical and theological sense of the word. For them, Shiaism means a complete return to the pristine values of Islam as well as a radical departure from Western values and its exploitative political and economic system. Notes, ref.