Although it loses something in the translation, it can be seen that Ibraheem Zakzaky of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria is pushing the line that Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad as a Western creation to discredit Islam in Nigeria and re-colonize the entire African continent. In response, members of Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad view the epithet Boko Haram as a means to discredit them, implying that they believe Western education is forbidden; which would sit oddly with their founder, Mohammed Yusuf’s graduate education and penchant for luxury cars.
It is undeniable, though, that the two groups have pursued different lines of approach in currying favour with the local population.
Over the past three decades, Zakzaky’s Islamic Movement has taken a near-negligible Shi’a population in Nigeria to some five millions with a mix of considerable backing from Iran and his own populism which has brought Sunni and even Christian Nigerians into his fold.
Boko Haram has not, instead opting for Al-Qaeda style mass-attacks on civilian (including primitively sectarian executions based on beard length) and Government targets, unsurprisingly turning local populations against them.; as well as kidnap/murder of foreign contractors.