Sheikh Zakzaky made the remarks in his closing address at the International Conference on Resistance, themed “Youth and the Future of the Islamic Resistance,” held in Abuja, Nigeria, on Saturday. The event brought together participants from Nigeria, the Republic of Niger, Cameroon and other backgrounds, including prominent figures engaged with the Islamic resistance movement.
Urging young people not to waste their prime years, Sheikh Zakzaky called on them to work toward establishing a just society before old age or death deprived them of the opportunity.
“Do not wait for Imam Mahdi (the 12th Shia Imam) to appear before you begin the struggle against oppression. What is required of you is to make your own effort. If the Imam appears, you should be among those who assist him. And if you are killed or die before then, you have succeeded,” he said.
Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria cited Iran’s Islamic Revolution as an example of the importance of taking action in the pursuit of justice. He argued that without the efforts of the Founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Khomeini, and the Iranian people to establish a system based on justice, Islam would have lacked a defender in the contemporary world.
Sheikh Zakzaky also urged young people to pursue knowledge and apply what they learn in practice, describing education and its practical application as essential tools for overcoming challenges and achieving progress.
He attributed Iran’s ability to withstand pressure from its adversaries to the importance its people place on knowledge and its application. “Through this, Iran has put the United States and Israel to shame,” he said.
The cleric further called on young Muslims to promote unity wherever they live and warned against extremism and sectarian hatred. He said those who incite divisions and hostility among Muslims ultimately serve the interests of Zionists rather than those of the Muslim community.
Cultural Counsellor at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Abuja, Seyyed Hassan Heydari, was among the prominent participants at the conference.
The gathering focused on the role of young people in shaping the future of the Islamic resistance movement, highlighting the pursuit of justice, the importance of knowledge and the need for unity in confronting oppression.
Maryam Abolbagha - H.Hakimzadeh
