Sheikh Zakzaky, the founder of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, met Seyyed Hassan Khomeini to discuss issues facing the Muslims across various parts of the world.
Zakzaky arrived in the Iranian capital last month and attended a number of ceremonies and summits in recognition of his self-effacing character and distinguished sacrifices in promoting Islam in the African continent.
In December 2015, Nigerian army troops attacked Sheikh Zakzaky’s residence and a place of worship belonging to the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, killing over three hundred and forty of his supporters in Zaria, Kaduna state.
Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife have lost their six sons, three of whom were killed during the Zaria Massacre.
He had remained under state detention in the Nigerian capital pending his release, which was ordered in late 2016. In 2019, a court in Kaduna state granted him and his wife bail to seek treatment abroad but they returned from India after three days due to unfair treatment and tough restrictions by security operatives deployed to the medical facility.
Last year, the Kaduna state higher court exonerated him from any charges and ordered his immediate release after 2,055 days of illegal detention.
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria will mark the eighth anniversary of the Zaria Massacre this year. Remembering the massacre has become an annual event where members pray for those who were killed and injured by the security forces.