**Tears of Grief: Shi'a Protests Spill onto Northern Streets** In a poignant display of solidarity and restraint, members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) gathered in cities across the North, including Gombe and Kano, to condemn an alleged attack on Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The protests, which began as quiet gatherings outside Shi'a religious centres, swelled into solemn processions, carried on by the collective grief of the IMN faithful. In Gombe, the atmosphere was charged with an air of quiet desperation. Men and women, young and old, gathered outside their religious centre, their faces etched with concern and sorrow. They spoke in hushed tones, their eyes cast downward, as word of the alleged attack spread like wildfire through their networks. For them, it was not just a geopolitical headline; it was a personal affront to their spiritual leader. As the news spread, the IMN faithful took to the streets, their procession orderly but their emotion unmistakable. Led by Sheikh Muhammad Abbari, the crowd marched through parts of Gombe, their chants of solidarity echoing through the city. Despite the intensity of the moment, there was a sense of discipline and restraint, as organisers urged participants to maintain order and avoid confrontation. For many in the procession, the bond with Iran's clerical leadership is spiritual and ideological. The IMN, inspired by the Iranian Revolution, has long expressed solidarity with Tehran on global issues affecting the Muslim world. In Gombe, 28-year-old Sadiq Ahmed spoke of the deep connection he felt with Ayatollah Khamenei, who he saw not just as a political leader but as a spiritual authority. "When something happens to him, it feels like it has happened to all of us," he said, his voice trembling with emotion. As the protests spread to cities like Bauchi and Kano, one thing was clear: the IMN faithful would not be silenced. Despite the presence of police officers, who deployed across strategic points in the metropolis, the protesters remained calm and peaceful. Their message was clear: they would stand in solidarity with their spiritual leader, even in the face of adversity. In a region where sectarian tensions run deep, the IMN protests served as a powerful reminder of the importance of peaceful coexistence and the bonds that unite us across faiths and borders.