Sheikh Ibraheem Yaqoub El-Zakzaky is the founder and leading force behind the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), one of the country’s most influential socio-religious movements. IMN focuses extensively on providing parallel social services, educational systems, healthcare, and charity to millions of followers across West Africa. El-Zakzaky has faced prolonged state persecution over decades, culminating in a December 2015 military raid on his residence that resulted in the massacre of over 300 followers and the killing of three of his sons. Following years of state detention and a subsequent acquittal of all charges, he traveled internationally for extensive medical treatments. After spending several months in Iran, where he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Tehran, he returned to Nigeria in early 2024 to resume active leadership of the movement from Abuja.