I Was Not Arrested, Only Engaged In #FreePalestine Solidarity Protest – Iwo Islamic Cleric
An Islamic Scholar and Leader of the Taw’un Muslimeen movement, Sheik Daood Imran Molaasan, has denied reports of arrest over a pro-Palestine protest held in Iwo, Osun State, earlier this week.
Reports on social media late Tuesday indicated that Molaasan had reportedly been arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) after a video circulated online showing him and his followers calling for the liberation of Palestine, which they described as being under Israeli occupation.
The footage showed members of the group marching through Iwo while raising the Palestinian flag.
The viral video had generated mixed reactions from social media users.
While some netizens expressed solidarity with the Palestinian cause, others raised security concerns, particularly the inclusion of children in the protest.
In the video, participants were seen pledging allegiance to the Qur’an and Sunnah, with children chanting strong religious slogans.
But, in a new video posted on the group’s Facebook page in the wee hours of Tuesday, Molaasan denied the reported arrest.
He also noted that he campaigned and voted for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.
“Nobody arrested us. DSS is our friend. The video that emerged online was a solidarity rally we did yesterday (Monday) for Palestine. Both the DSS and the police were aware of it.
“I had also briefed officials of the local government here in Iwo about it.
“There is nothing bad in even being arrested for striving in the cause of Allah.
“I am here at the secretariat of the Tawu’un movement in Iwo. I am not in DSS custody. I am a peace-loving individual. Our organisation also has its own security outfit and we collaborate with them on security issues.
“I also supported, voted and campaigned for Tinubu. I am not against any security outfit. We have always collaborated with them. So, the news is not true and should be discarded,” Molaasan stated.
Sodiq Yusuf is a trained media practitioner and journalist with considerable years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital journalism. His interests cover a wide range of causes in politics, governance, sports, community development, and good governance.
