Iran's Khamenei Meets Nigerian Ayatollah

In a meeting with Sheikh Ibrahim Yaqoub El Zakzaky, Khamenei told him: “The Islamic Movement is expanding in Africa, Europe and North America,” rallying the world's Shiite population.

Zakzaky leads the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, a movement inspired by the Iranian Revolution that rejects Nigerian government authority. Known as Nigeria's Ayatollah, the outspoken cleric has been imprisoned for a range of charges including murder, culpable homicide, unlawful assembly and disruption of public peace as the government tries to quash the revolutionary movement.

“I hope you will be able to continue your fight,” said Khamenei, who backs Zakzaky's campaign to expand Shiite Islam in Nigeria where while around 50 percent of the country is Muslim, the majority is Sunni.

While Iran supports Nigeria's Islamic Movement, the regime also needs the support of the Nigerian government, last months energy talks discussing cooperation to combat energy challenges.

During the meeting of the two religious leaders, Khamenei raised the rally cry of the Palestinians as its proxy Hamas continues its war against Israel after an unprecedented and surprise attack on Saturday became the single most deadly day for Jews since the Holocaust.

“Everyone in the Islamic world has a duty to assist the Palestinians,” Khamenei said. Iran funds Hamas with around $100m a year in addition to military support and training but while Israeli officials accuse the Iranian regime of funding Hamas's surprise assault, Tehran denies involvement.