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Letter to Embassies on Upcoming Muharram

Shia Rights Watch’s Open Letter to Embassies on Upcoming Muharram

As the month of Muharram begins on November 5th, 2013, SRW contacted number of embassies in US and invited them to respect the rights of their indigenous Shia community in performing the rituals associated with this month and protect them and their centers from harassment and harm.

The Shia Rights Watch ( SRW) sent the following letter to embassies on November 5, 2013:

Honorable Ambassador,

As human rights NGO dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of Shia Muslims globally, we are writing to bring to your attention the veneration and importance of the month of Muharram to the Shia populations in your country.

Muharram, the first month of Islamic calendar, is a significant month for Shia Muslims as they commemorate the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, in 680 CE in the Battle of Karbala. Muharram rituals are significant to the community as they symbolize Shia opposition to discrimination and oppression. The community honors this month by wearing black attire and attending seminars, lectures and special prayer services.

Every year thousands of Shia Muslims are killed or wounded by anti-Shia groups while attending their peaceful and spiritual rituals. Shia Muslims of Iraq, Pakistan, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia have been targeted and killed during past Muharrams. Many Shia centers were closed or attacked in Malaysia, Indonesia, Egypt, Iran and other countries. In some incidents even homes were raided by authorities in order to stop Shia Muslims from practicing their peaceful faith. Unfortunately most of the violation and aggression during Muharram against the Shia community were carried out by government officials.

This year our extensive research demonstrates that both Shia centers and spiritual leaders have already received threatening letters in anticipation of the month of Muharram.

SRW believes that respect and protection of religious freedom is the key to peaceful coexistence and mutual respect. We call upon all governments to respect the right of their citizens and protect their lives and properties.

This year, SRW invites and urges all governments and authority figures to

  • Respect Shia practices during this special month.
  • Implement security plans that enable Shia to participate in their rituals without fear,
  • Remember that Muharram rituals are not a political movement, but rather religious and spiritual.
  • Shia Muslims hold different nationalities and are not dependent on any political group or government, and need to be granted their religious freedom and protection to practice their faith.

May the Muharram of 2013 be a peaceful month in which we all practice living in harmony and mutual respect.

SRW thanks you for your help in keeping all citizen safe.

Sincerely,

Mustafa Akhwand

Director of SRW

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