As Khamenei son takes over, Nigerian Shias mourn Iran's old supreme leader

"Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is not only a leader of the Shiite community or even Muslims alone. He is regarded as a leader of oppressed people across the world. If you look at Iran's involvement in issues concerning Gaza and Palestine, you will understand why many people admire his leadership."

"In Kano, the community sees it as a move ensuring the continuation of his father's resistance. The assassination of the elder Khamenei last week in an air strike has stirred deep emotions among Nigeria's minority Muslim Shia, a group that sees its faith and identity intertwined with that of the larger Shia community in Iran."

Following the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in an air strike, Iran appointed his son Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader. In northern Nigeria's Kano State, the Shia Muslim community gathered to mourn the elder Khamenei, viewing his death as a significant loss to oppressed peoples worldwide. The Nigerian Shia community perceives Mojtaba's appointment as ensuring continuity of his father's resistance policies. For many adherents, including academics like Dauda Nalado, the elder Khamenei represented more than a religious leader—he symbolized opposition to Western intervention and support for causes like Palestine and Gaza. The appointment signals to this minority community that Iran's stance on regional issues and resistance will persist under new leadership.

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