SRW Warns of Escalating Sectarian Violence Following Deadly Attack on Khadija al-Kubra Mosque

Shia Rights Watch (SRW) unequivocally condemns in the strongest possible terms the heinous suicide bombing attack on the Khadija al-Kubra Mosque in the Tarlai Kalan area of Islamabad, Pakistan, which occurred on February 6, 2026, during Friday prayers. This atrocious act of violence resulted in the deaths of at least 31 worshippers and left over 169 individuals wounded, many critically, as they gathered for communal worship.

This mosque serves as a spiritual sanctuary for Shia Muslims, a minority community already subjected to recurrent sectarian targeting. The deliberate targeting of civilians engaged in prayer constitutes an egregious violation of fundamental human rights, freedom of religion, and the sanctity of places of worship. Any act that seeks to terrorize and divide communities through violence against innocent worshippers is a crime against humanity and must be condemned without reservation.

The ongoing pattern of militant attacks against Shia civilians in Pakistan and across the region underscores an urgent need for coordinated international action to protect vulnerable communities and to hold perpetrators and their sponsors accountable under international law. SRW stands in firm solidarity with the victims and their families, and with all communities affected by sectarian violence.

SRW calls on the Government of Pakistan and the international community to:

Swiftly and transparently investigate this attack and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
Strengthen protections for religious minorities and their places of worship to prevent future attacks.
Enhance international cooperation to address the networks and ideologies that fuel sectarian terrorism.
Provide full support and assistance to survivors, the injured, and the families of the deceased.

SRW extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims, expresses solidarity with the injured, and reiterates the imperative that acts of violence against innocent worshippers must never be tolerated.

Incidents of Anti-Shiism, January 2025

Shia Rights Watch issues its monthly report highlighting the most prominent human rights violations committed against Shia Muslims from January 1st to February 1st, 2026.
This report details various terrorist operations carried out by extremist groups against Shia Muslims, as well as instances of oppression and abuse by certain governments and regimes.
SRW relied on both its own sources and public sources, such as individuals and human rights groups active in the countries where violations occurred.
SRW notes that it refrained from mentioning some violations due to the absence of conclusive evidence, despite being certain of their occurrence in some countries, emphasizing that it does not seek political or profit goals in its work, but rather aims to achieve justice and equality aspired to by human societies.

Countries (Alphabetically):

Afghanistan

01/01/2026 Killing of a Young Man in Badakhshan:
An armed group killed Mohammad Shah Amiri while he was passing through a street in the city of Fayzabad, Badakhshan Province.

07/01/2026 Abduction and Killing of Three Young Men:
An armed group abducted three young men, subjected them to torture until death, and dumped their bodies on a street in Ghazni Province.

11/01/2026 Arrest Campaign Targeting Women:
So-called “Vice and Virtue” forces carried out an arrest campaign targeting numerous women and young girls in the Dasht-e-Barchi area of Kabul.

15/01/2026 Two Killed and Five Injured in Mazar-e-Sharif:
A bomb planted by terrorists inside a public bus in Balkh Province killed two people and injured five others.

20/01/2026 Casualties in Bus Bombing:
An explosion targeting a passenger bus in the Dasht-e-Barchi area of Kabul resulted in multiple deaths and injuries.

21/01/2026 Casualties in Restaurant Bombing:
An explosion targeting a restaurant in Kabul killed and injured a large number of civilians.

22/01/2026 Two Killed in Fayzabad:
An armed group opened fire on civilians in a marketplace in Fayzabad, killing two people instantly.

24/01/2026 Ban on Teaching Shia Jurisprudence in Bamyan:
Human-rights sources revealed the issuance of undisclosed decisions in Bamyan Province prohibiting the teaching of Ja‘fari (Shia) jurisprudence in certain schools and mosques, and forcing students to follow standardized curricula that violate their religious identity.

Pakistan

12/01/2026 Casualties in Terrorist Bombing in Tank:
A terrorist bombing killed and injured several civilians in the Tank region.

18/01/2026 Assassination of a Young Man in Dera Ismail Khan:
An extremist group assassinated Mohsin Ali in the city of Dera Ismail Khan.

19/01/2026 Assassination of Security Officer in Kohat:
An extremist group assassinated security officer Musaddiq Ali in the Hangu area of Kohat.

25/01/2026 Mass Casualties in Wedding Bombing:
More than seven people were killed and twenty-five others injured, including women and children, in a terrorist bombing targeting a wedding ceremony in Dera Ismail Khan.

Bahrain

02/01/2026 Siege of Political Activist’s Home:
Security forces surrounded the home of Hassan Mushaima in Jidhafs and arrested several citizens who gathered in solidarity.

02/01/2026 Ban on Unified Shia Friday Prayer:
Authorities prevented Shia worshippers from accessing Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque in Diraz to perform Friday prayers for the 61st consecutive week.

09/01/2026 Continued Ban on Friday Prayer:
Shia worshippers were again denied access to Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque for the 62nd consecutive week.

11/01/2026 Arrest of Protesters in Isa Town:
Security forces arrested several protesters staging a sit-in outside the Ministry of Labor to demand employment opportunities.

16/01/2026 Continued Ban on Friday Prayer:
Access to Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque was denied for the 63rd consecutive week.

23/01/2026 Continued Ban on Friday Prayer:
Authorities continued preventing Friday prayers for the 64th consecutive week.

30/01/2026 Continued Ban on Friday Prayer:
Shia worshippers were barred from Friday prayers for the 65th consecutive week.

Lebanon

05/01/2026 Displacement of Border Communities:
Hundreds of families were displaced from border towns including Mays al-Jabal, Khiam, and Aita al-Shaab toward Tyre due to artillery shelling.

06/01/2026 Drone Strike in Jouaya:
Hussein Ali Nasser Al-Din was killed and another civilian moderately injured in a drone strike targeting a vehicle.

10/01/2026 Sonic Boom Violations:
Widespread panic was reported in Nabatieh and Tyre due to repeated Israeli airspace violations and sonic booms.

12/01/2026 Use of Phosphorus Munitions:
Aircraft targeted agricultural lands in Alma al-Shaab and Dhayra using phosphorus shells.

16/01/2026 Fatal Airstrikes:
Khaled Al-Youssef was killed in Mansouri, and Ali Mortada was killed when his home was destroyed in Mayfadoun.

21/01/2026 Drone Assassination on Zahrani Road:
Hassan (Abu Saleh) was killed in a drone strike targeting his vehicle.

24/01/2026 Civilian Killed in Bazzouriyeh:
An unidentified person was killed after their body burned in a drone strike.

26/01/2026 Mass Casualties in Kfar Melki:
Fatima Hamza was killed and 18 civilians injured in a severe airstrike; journalist Mohammad Farhat was also injured in Iqlim al-Tuffah.

30/01/2026 Farmer Killed in Airstrikes:
Farmer Mohammad Hussein was killed and two others injured in airstrikes on Siddiqin and Dawoudiyeh.

31/01/2026 Fatal Drone Strike in Rab Thalathin:
Ali Khalil was killed and another civilian critically injured in an a drone strike.

Syria

01/01/2026 Killing of a Civilian in Homs:
An armed group opened automatic gunfire on civilian Wael Fouani while he was closing his shop in the city of Homs, killing him.

01/01/2026 Abduction of a Young Man from Tartous:
An armed group abducted Mohammad Ayoush while he was passing through Hananou Street near the small market in Tartous.

01/01/2026 Killing of an Elderly Man in Homs:
An armed group killed an elderly man, Abdul Aziz Darwish Abu Mudar, while he was working in his bookstore in the Wadi Al-Dhahab neighborhood of Homs.

01/01/2026 Abduction of a Young Man in Tartous:
An armed group abducted Qais Joudat Masoud in the Sheikh Saad area of Tartous.

01/01/2026 Abduction and Ransom of a Young Man Traveling to Lebanon:
Armed groups abducted Laith Ahmad Shabana while he was attempting to travel to Lebanon. He was later released in exchange for a ransom after being subjected to severe torture, the effects of which were visible on his body.

01/01/2026 Assassination of a Young Man in Front of His Family:
Armed groups assassinated Ali Bassam Tamer in front of his home in the city of Jableh.

01/01/2026 Discovery of the Body of a Detainee in Homs:
The body of engineer Osama Abdul Moein Khaddour was found at Al-Waer Hospital in Homs after his arrest by the General Security apparatus.

03/01/2026 Death Threats Against Friday Prayer Imam in Sayyida Zainab:
Armed groups issued threats to kill Sheikh Adham Al-Khatib, the Friday prayer imam in the Sayyida Zainab area.

05/01/2026 Arrest of the Secretary of the Alawite Council:
An armed force arrested Sheikh Asif Mehanna, Secretary of the Alawite Council, after raiding his home in the village of Beit Tleijah, Tartous.

05/01/2026 Three Killed in Armed Attack in Rural Homs:
An armed group attacked the market of Abu Hakfa village in rural Homs, killing three young men and injuring others.

06/01/2026 Arrest of Three Individuals in Al-Anaza:
An armed group stormed the home of Sheikh Ahmad Issa in Al-Anaza, Tartous, arresting him, his brother, and two other young men, and confiscating their vehicle and personal mobile phones.

06/01/2026 Arrests of Community Figures in Safita:
Armed groups arrested several community figures in Safita and its countryside, including the city’s mayor Abdul Aziz Mukhayber, Ghassan Dioub, Hamed Assad and his son Ali, Khader Wassouf and his son, and Ghassan Asbar and his son.

06/01/2026 Arrest of a Young Man in Al-Areed Neighborhood:
An armed group arrested Imran Al-Wahsh from the Al-Areed neighborhood in Tartous.

06/01/2026 Arrest of Four Young Men in Al-Qamsiyah Village:
Armed groups stormed Al-Qamsiyah village in rural Tartous and arrested four young men.

06/01/2026 Mass Arrests in Al-Safsafa Village:
Armed groups arrested dozens of young men from Al-Safsafa village in rural Tartous.

06/01/2026 Arrest of a Young Man from Ain Al-Kurum:
An armed group arrested Salman Malik Al-Mohammad, a resident of Ain Al-Kurum village in rural Hama.

06/01/2026 Discovery of the Body of a Former Detainee:
The body of Jamal Al-Din Abi Ibrahim from the village of Fahl was found in a hospital in Homs after being detained by an armed group fifteen days earlier.

07/01/2026 Summary Execution and Arrest of Former Officer’s Family:
An armed group summarily executed former army officer Mohammad Youssef Abu Samra in front of his family after storming his home in Wadi Al-Uyoun, then arrested his wife and two children.

07/01/2026 Killing of a Young Man in Al-Dreikish:
An armed group killed Mohammad Shaker inside his home in Al-Dreikish, Tartous.

07/01/2026 Arrest Campaign in Salhab and Bisin:
Armed groups carried out mass arrests targeting dozens of young men from the villages of Salhab and Bisin in rural Hama.

07/01/2026 Sectarian Dismissal of Lawyers in Tartous:
The Tartous Bar Association removed the names of 40 lawyers from its registry for accepting legal representation of detainees from the city.

08/01/2026 Arrest Campaign in Al-Wuroud Neighborhood:
Armed groups carried out arrests targeting several young men and women from Al-Wuroud neighborhood in Damascus.

08/01/2026 Execution of a Young Man in Aleppo:
Armed groups executed Khalil Darwish inside his home in Aleppo in front of his wife and children.

09/01/2026 Killing of Medical Staff in Homs:
An armed group opened fire on staff at Al-Kindi Hospital in Homs, killing four individuals, including one woman, and seriously injuring another.
Victims: Lial Salloum, Zulfiqar Zaher, Alaa Wannous, Mazen Al-Asmar.
Injured: Osama Dioub (critical condition).

09/01/2026 Killing of an Entire Family in Sheikh Maqsoud:
Shelling in the Sheikh Maqsoud area of Aleppo killed Amin Resho, his daughter Zainab Resho, his daughter-in-law Sharfin Hassan, and her three children.

09/01/2026 Arrest of a Young Man from Salhab:
An armed group arrested Alawi Al-Madani, a resident of Salhab village in Hama.

09/01/2026 Abduction of a Child in Al-Mazzeh:
An armed group abducted the child Maryam Fayez Sultan from the Al-Mazzeh area of Damascus.

10/01/2026 Arrest Campaign in Qatana:
Armed groups carried out arrests targeting children and young men from Qatana, Damascus, accompanied by physical assault and torture.

10/01/2026 Arrest of Twenty-Five Young Men in Al-Wuroud:
Armed groups arrested twenty-five young men from Al-Wuroud neighborhood in Damascus.

12/01/2026 Killing of a Young Man in Ain Al-Kurum:
An armed group opened automatic gunfire on Modhi’ Hammoud in Ain Al-Kurum village, killing him instantly.

14/01/2026 Protester Killed by Stabbing in Latakia:
Laith Zakaria was killed after being stabbed multiple times by unidentified individuals while participating in a protest demanding an end to sectarian violations against Shia following the collapse of the former regime.

15/01/2026 Killing of Two Young Men in Homs:
A gunman wearing General Security attire killed Muhannad Assad and Alaa Mohammad at their workplace on Al-Hadara Street in Homs.

15/01/2026 Killing of a Young Man in Al-Safsafa:
An armed group shot and killed Youssef Al-Qadi while he was passing through a street in Al-Safsafa, Tartous.

16/01/2026 Public Torture in Hama:
Armed groups carried out acts of brutal public torture against a young man from Salhab in Hama, documenting the abuse.

17/01/2026 Public Torture in Rural Hama:
Armed groups committed public acts of severe torture against several young men from the Al-Ghab Plain in western rural Hama.

20/01/2026 Discovery of a Body in Jableh:
The body of Mehran Ahmad Abbas was found dumped near a street in Jableh, showing signs of gunshot wounds and physical torture.

20/01/2026 Two Children Killed in Shelling of Nubl and Al-Zahraa:
Shelling by armed groups killed two children and injured others, causing extensive material damage in Nubl and Al-Zahraa, north of Aleppo.

23/01/2026 Killing of a Civilian in Al-Salamiyah:
Armed men killed Ali Hassan Eizouk from Al-Salamiyah, rural Hama, while he was returning from work near Tal Al-Dura Al-Sharqi.

24/01/2026 Arbitrary Dismissals in Masyaf:
Authorities dismissed more than 100 doctors and nurses from Masyaf Hospital in rural Hama.

25/01/2026 Killing of a Young Man from Qalaat Jandal:
An armed group killed Adnan Allama from Qalaat Jandal in Damascus by opening automatic gunfire.

26/01/2026 Arrest Campaign for Financial Extortion:
Armed groups arrested several businessmen in Al-Mahrousa village, rural Masyaf, for the purpose of financial extortion through fabricated charges. Those arrested included Mahmoud Al-Laban (Abu Salem), Mahmoud Saheb, Wajih Al-Abla, and others.

26/01/2026 Discovery of a Tortured Body in Tabshour:
The body of a man from Tabshour village was found dumped on the roadside, bearing signs of severe torture.

29/01/2026 Financial Extortion Near Sayyida Zainab:
Witnesses reported that visitors to the Sayyida Zainab area in Damascus were subjected to financial extortion and degrading searches at certain checkpoints under the pretext of “enhanced security screening.”

30/01/2026 Civilian Injured in Armed Attack:
An armed group shot Malaz Yaman Darwish while he was walking in the Akrama neighborhood of Homs, causing severe injuries that required hospitalization.

Saudi Arabia

15/01/2026 Death of a Detainee Due to Denial of Medical Care:
Human-rights sources reported the death of political detainee Mohammad Abdul Rabb Al-Rasoul Al-Alayou inside prison as a result of deliberate medical neglect and the deterioration of his health condition.

Incidents of Anti-Shiism, December 2025

Shia Rights Watch issues its monthly report highlighting the most prominent human rights violations committed against Shia Muslims from December 1st to January 1st, 2026.
This report details various terrorist operations carried out by extremist groups against Shia Muslims, as well as instances of oppression and abuse by certain governments and regimes.
SRW relied on both its own sources and public sources, such as individuals and human rights groups active in the countries where violations occurred.
SRW notes that it refrained from mentioning some violations due to the absence of conclusive evidence, despite being certain of their occurrence in some countries, emphasizing that it does not seek political or profit goals in its work, but rather aims to achieve justice and equality aspired to by human societies.

Countries (Alphabetically):

Afghanistan

12/01/2025 – Arrest of a poet and civil activist:
Security authorities arrested Shia poet and civil activist Sayyid Eskandar Hosseini Bamdad, who was detained by Taliban intelligence services for thirteen days. Shia writers and intellectuals described the arrest as an unjust measure targeting free cultural expression and suppressing creative space in the country.

12/21/2025 – Closure of a cultural center in Kabul:
Local sources in Kabul reported that the Taliban closed the Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) Cultural and Educational Complex located in the “Afshar Dar al-Aman” area, by direct order of the current Minister of Justice, Abdul Hakim Shara’i, despite the center holding all required legal and religious licenses and conducting its academic, cultural, and educational activities officially and in an organized manner.

Pakistan

12/03/2025 – Dozens forcibly disappeared for years:
Human rights sources revealed that more than thirty citizens have been forcibly disappeared under mysterious circumstances for years, calling on official authorities to disclose their fate.

12/20/2025 – Threats to bomb a mosque and Hussainiya in Shah Wakel:
Human rights sources reported that Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (a banned terrorist organization) sent a message to the administration of a school in the predominantly Shia area of “Shah Wakel” in Hangu district, threatening an imminent attack. It is noted that Shah Wakel was previously set ablaze by the Taliban nearly two decades ago, resulting in dozens of deaths and the destruction of an Imam Bargah.

Bahrain

12/05/2025 – Ban on unified prayer:
Security authorities imposed a siege and strict security restrictions on the town of Diraz, west of Manama, preventing residents from holding the central Friday prayer for the sixty-first consecutive week.

12/11/2025 – Arrest of two youths for calling for protest:
Security forces arrested two young men on charges of inciting protests demanding an end to arbitrary practices and sectarian policies pursued by the authorities.

12/12/2025 – Ban on unified prayer:
Authorities imposed strict security measures on Diraz and prevented the Friday prayer for the sixty-second consecutive week.

12/12/2025 – Raid on a religious ceremony in Samaheej:
Security forces raided a religious celebration in the Samaheej area east of Manama commemorating the birth anniversary of Lady Fatima al-Zahra (peace be upon her).

12/17/2025 & 12/24/2025 – Continued ban on prayer:
Authorities continued to prevent Friday prayers in Diraz for the sixty-third and sixty-fourth consecutive weeks.

Syria

12/01/2025 – Discovery of a young man’s body in Jableh countryside:
Residents of the village of “Al-Qalayeh” found the body of Hassan Waheeb Salloum, bearing gunshot wounds and signs of torture, days after his disappearance.

12/02/2025 – Bombing of a religious shrine in Salamiyah:
An armed group detonated the shrine of “Faraj Abu Hayya” in the Al-Sayyadah area in the Salamiyah countryside after desecrating the grave.

12/14/2025 – Assassination of a young man in Al-Tadamon neighborhood:
An armed group assassinated Mohammad Al-Hallani in front of his shop in the Al-Tadamon neighborhood of Damascus.

12/16/2025 – 21/12/2025 – Cemetery desecration:
Villages including Al-Hazmiyah (Homs), Tal Al-Dhahab, Tal Skeen, and Masyaf (Hama) witnessed desecration of cemeteries and destruction of gravestones by armed groups.

12/19/2025 – Sectarian graffiti:
Incendiary and sectarian slogans were documented on building walls in the Sheikh Daher area of Latakia.

12/20/2025 – One killed and others injured in Hama countryside:
Gunmen on motorcycles attacked civilians in the village of Al-Saboura, resulting in one death and several injuries.

12/21/2025 – Killing of a young man by security forces:
Armed groups affiliated with the so-called “General Security” shot and killed Haitham Abbas, a resident of the city of Nubl.

12/26/2025 – Bombing of Imam Ali Mosque (peace be upon him) in Homs:
The group “Ansar al-Sunna” carried out a bombing of the mosque in the Wadi Al-Dhahab neighborhood, killing eight worshippers and injuring dozens.

12/28/2025 – Suppression of protests:
“General Security” forces suppressed protest marches in Latakia and Homs using live ammunition, resulting in deaths, injuries, and the arrest of dozens, including women and children.

Saudi Arabia

12/23/2025 – Execution of three young men:
Authorities carried out discretionary executions against detainees Sayyid Hussein Haidar Al-Qallaf, Mohammad Ahmed Al-Hamad, and Hassan Saleh Al-Saleem, all from the city of Qatif.

12/31/2025 – Execution of three additional detainees:
Authorities carried out discretionary executions against Ahmed Mohammad Al-Abdullah, Mousa Jaafar Al-Samkhan, and Redha Ali Al-Ammar, also from Qatif.

Acknowledging Malaysia’s High Court Rulings on Shia Muslim Amri Che Mat and Pastor Raymond Koh

December 29, 2025 — On behalf of Shia Rights Watch (SRW), we extend our formal appreciation to the High Court of Malaysia for its recent judgments recognizing the state’s responsibility in the enforced disappearances of social activist Amri Che Mat, a Shia Muslim, and Christian pastor Raymond Koh. These decisions represent a significant judicial step toward confronting long-standing injustices and advancing the rule of law in Malaysia.

On November 5, 2025, the High Court delivered landmark rulings holding the Malaysian government and police accountable for the unlawful abductions of both individuals, directing substantial compensation to their families and ordering continued investigations into these unresolved disappearances.

In the case of Amri Che Mat, who was abducted on November 24, 2016, the court found that Malaysian authorities failed to conduct a thorough and diligent investigation into his disappearance, including a failure to seriously examine whether his Shia Muslim identity and religious activities played a role in the circumstances of his abduction.

This failure underscores systemic gaps in the protection of Shia Muslims—a community that continues to face institutional discrimination in Malaysia, where Shia religious expression remains officially restricted and Shia Muslims have been subject to legal and social marginalization.

We also acknowledge the court’s ruling in the disappearance of Pastor Raymond Koh, abducted in February 2017, where the High Court held that state actors were responsible and ordered compensation exceeding RM30 million to his family.

While the compensation awarded in Pastor Koh’s case was higher than that in the Amri Che Mat case, the judicial acknowledgment of enforced disappearance and state accountability in both cases is an important affirmation of fundamental rights for all Malaysians, regardless of religious identity.

SRW recognizes this judicial outcome as an essential shift toward transparency and accountability. It reflects an increasing willingness within Malaysia’s judiciary to confront historical injustices and uphold due process in cases involving enforced disappearance and discrimination. The rulings also set important legal precedents that should strengthen protections for marginalized religious communities, including Shia Muslims, who have long faced a restrictive environment where religious practices outside the Sunni framework are not always legally protected.

Nevertheless, SRW emphasizes that judicial recognition must be accompanied by concrete institutional reforms. We call on Malaysian authorities to:

Implement the High Court’s directives without undue delay, ensuring that enforcement actions and investigative processes proceed with full transparency.
Address systemic discrimination against Shia Muslims and other religious minorities through legislative and policy reforms that uphold freedom of religion and belief in accordance with international human rights standards.
Ensure equitable application of justice, including impartial investigation and accountability for all actors implicated in enforced disappearances.

SRW remains committed to supporting efforts that protect religious freedom and minority rights globally. We commend the courage of the families of Shia Muslim Amri Che Mat and Pastor Raymond Koh for their persistence in seeking justice. Their resilience has contributed to an important moment of judicial accountability in Malaysia.

Breaking: Attack on Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque Confirms Ongoing Identity-Based Violence in Syria

December 26, 2025 — Homs, Syria — According to initial reports, an explosion struck the Imam Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque during Friday prayers, leaving 32 people killed and injured. The attack targeted a civilian place of worship and occurred at a time of heightened insecurity for religious minority communities in the area.

Shia Rights Watch (SRW) has repeatedly warned of ongoing identity-based violations against Shia Muslims in Syria, including attacks on religious sites, killings of civilians, forced displacement, and intimidation aimed at suppressing religious practice. Today’s incident aligns with a broader, well-documented pattern of violence directed at communities identified by their religious affiliation rather than any military activity.

Over the past year, open-source reporting, local monitoring groups, and humanitarian organizations have documented recurrent assaults on Shia Muslim civilians in central and western Syria. These incidents include targeted killings, attacks on mosques and shrines, threats against religious figures, and the absence of effective protection for vulnerable neighborhoods. The cumulative evidence indicates a systematic failure to safeguard religious minorities and their places of worship, in violation of international human rights and humanitarian law.

SRW emphasizes that attacks on civilian religious sites are prohibited under international law and constitute serious human rights violations. The continued occurrence of such attacks underscores the urgency of preventive action rather than reactive statements after loss of life.

Shia Rights Watch calls for:

An independent and transparent investigation into the mosque attack and similar incidents.
Immediate protective measures for religious communities and places of worship across Syria.
Accountability mechanisms to ensure perpetrators of identity-based violence are identified and prosecuted.

SRW will continue to document developments and issue early warnings regarding risks faced by Shia Muslim communities in Syria.

International Migrants Day: Protecting the Rights and Dignity of Shia Migrant Workers Worldwide

On International Migrants Day, Shia Rights Watch (SRW) underscores the urgent need to protect the rights, safety, and dignity of millions of migrant workers worldwide, including those who face additional layers of vulnerability due to their religious identity. Migrants play an essential role in building economies, sustaining families, and strengthening societies, yet many continue to endure systemic discrimination, unsafe working conditions, and restrictions on basic freedoms.

For Shia Muslim migrant workers in particular, identity-based challenges often compound pre-existing labor vulnerabilities. In some regions, workers face obstacles in accessing places of worship, limitations on cultural or religious observance, targeted harassment, or discriminatory labor practices. These pressures place Shia Muslim migrants at heightened risk of exploitation and contribute to long-term social and economic insecurity.

As part of its mission, SRW continues to document patterns of discrimination affecting Shia Muslim communities globally, including those living and working outside their countries of origin. Migrants deserve full and equal protection under international human rights law, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, or religious affiliation. Safe working environments, freedom of worship, legal support, and access to justice must be upheld without discrimination.

SRW calls on governments, employers, and international institutions to strengthen protections for vulnerable migrant populations, enhance monitoring mechanisms, ensure freedom of belief and worship, and enforce labor standards that respect human dignity.

Protecting migrants is not only a legal obligation — it is a moral imperative and an investment in the stability and prosperity of all societies.

Incidents of Anti-Shiism, November 2025

Shia Rights Watch issues its monthly report highlighting the most prominent human rights violations committed against Shia Muslims from November 1st to December 1st,2025.
This report details various terrorist operations carried out by extremist groups against Shia Muslims, as well as instances of oppression and abuse by certain governments and regimes.
SRW relied on both its own sources and public sources, such as individuals and human rights groups active in the countries where violations occurred.
SRW notes that it refrained from mentioning some violations due to the absence of conclusive evidence, despite being certain of their occurrence in some countries, emphasizing that it does not seek political or profit goals in its work, but rather aims to achieve justice and equality aspired to by human societies.

Countries (Alphabetically):