The Islamic Movement of Nigeria, under the leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, has called on the international human rights community to work towards protecting the fundamental rights of Sheikh Abduljabbar Kabara, who was sentenced to death by the Upper Sharia Court in Kano for alleged blasphemy against Prophet Mohammed.

The organisation, known as Shiites, described Kabara as a victim of a gang up by some Islamic scholars who hold opposing views to him to prevent him from spreading his knowledge.

A member of the Academic Form of IMN, Halima Aliyu, explained these in a statement issued on Wednesday, detailing “the group’s petition to the National Human Rights Commission, European Union, Legal Aid Council, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Monitor, demanding unconditional release of the cleric.”

Aliyu said, “We write to draw your attention to a questionable court judgment sentencing Sheikh Abduljabbar Kabara, Kano, to death by hanging; and to seek the intervention of all people of conscience for the unconditional release of the cleric.

“Sheikh Abduljabbar is a prominent cleric and son of Sheikh Nasuru Kabara, Kano. Sheikh Kabara’s family is well-known not only in Nigeria and Africa but also around the world.

“Moreover, audio and video clips available in the public domain prove that the aforementioned scholars, who share different views with Sheikh Abduljabar, ganged up against him to stop him from propagating his knowledge.”

The group claimed that the aforementioned scholars worked to frame up baseless allegations against the cleric, and the Kano State Government used the allegations to frame up blasphemy charges against him.

“Sheikh Abduljabbar is known by the public for propagating love of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW), but funny enough, Judge Ibrahim Yola convicted the Sheikh of blasphemy against the Prophet.

“We believe that the allegations and charges filed against Sheikh Abduljabbar are baseless, and the court ruling delivered against him is politically-motivated,” she added.