Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, has reached out to the needy by distributing foodstuffs worth millions of naira to in the spirit of the Ramadan fasting.
The Ramadan food distribution was flagged off on Monday in Kaduna and Zaria, according to a statement by Abdullahi Usman of the media forum of the movement.
The food items including bags of sugar, rice, maize and millet were distributed on behalf Sheikh Zakzaky by his only surviving son, Muhammad Zakzaky.
Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenatuddeen, have been in detention since December 2015 after a violent clash with the military leading to the killings of over 300 members of the movement, including his three biological sons, in Zaria, Kaduna state.
According to Usman, the Islamic scholar had instructed the distribution of the items to assist the needy during the Ramadan fasting.
He added that “the cleric sends his best wishes to Muslims all over the world and assured them of his prayers throughout the Islamic fasting season.”
Usman said internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Katsina and Zamfara states are also to benefit from the distribution of the food stuffs.
“Over 13 northern states that benefited from this gesture include Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, Kano, Plateau, Nasarawa and Bauchi,” he said.
The statement said in the past 20 years, it had been the practice by Zakzaky to reach out to the needy in the society, especially during the Ramadan period.
