The execution of Shiite Cleric, Sheikh al-Nimr has sparked protests on Sunday January 3rd, 2016 by Shiites in Kano, Northern Nigeria's most populous city over the recent surge in Shi'a persecution.
Saudi Arabia's monarchical government on Saturday executed 47 members of the Shiite movement including top cleric Sheikh al-Nimr, from the eastern part of Saudi Arabia who has been a vocal critic of the Saudi Royal family.
This follows four weeks after the Nigerian military brutally massacred Shiite protesters in the Kaduna city of Zaria with reports of the military burying the victims in secret mass graves. The international human rights community and advocacy groups have condemned both the actions by the Nigerian military and the execution of Sheikh al-Nimr.
The execution of Sheikh al-Nimr has exacerbated sectarian tensions in select pockets around the Middle East and Muslim world with anger being directed toward the Saudi authorities. .