Third Attack on Al-Askari Shrine

An attack on a Shia shine in Samarra killed at least six and wounded others. The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) fired four mortar shells into the compound of the al-Askari mosque in Samarra, north of the Baghdad. According to witnesses in Samarra, two mortar shells hit the mosque’s famous golden dome, damaging it slightly, while two other shells targeted the courtyard, where many had gathered to offer Ramadan prayers.

Al-Askari mosque contains the tombs of two Shia Imams and was attacked in 2006 and 2007 severely damaging the structure of the shrine and resulting in its closure for two years. Like in any religion, shrines and holy places are very important to Shia Muslims, and ISIL has repeatedly threatened and attempted to destroy them in Iraq just as they destroyed a number of smaller shrines in Syria. The fear and outrage of such attacks has united Shia Muslims to join the Iraqi army to protect the holy shrines.

Five Question and Answers about “ Call to Arm” in Iraq

On Friday the 13th Ayatollah Ali Sisitani’s representative, Mortaza Kishmiri, urged Iraqis to take up arms in order to defend their country and protect religious Shrines. Since then, many Shia, both men and women, put on military uniforms and joined the Iraqi Army. This article aims to answers five important questions about what is going on in Iraq.

1- What’s the significance of Shia clerics’ recent call to arms in Iraq?

It is the first time that Shia clerics such as Ayatollah Sistani who usually does not interfere with politics, have invited civilians to take arms and defend their country from armed extremists. Another Shia spiritual leader, Ayatollah Seyed Sadiq Shirazi, who is very active in politics, on the other hand says Shia do not need to be reminded by clerics that defending shrines is mandatory: anyone who is capable should defend shrines in Iraq. Shia clerics play huge role in the Shia communities and their comments have changed the world in past. For example, The Tobacco Protest was a Shiacleric-led revolt in Iran against an 1890 tobacco concession granted by the Shah to Great Britain. The protest climaxed in a widely-observed fatwa against tobacco use supposedly issued by Grand Ayatollah Mirza Hassan Shirazi in December of 1891. The Victory of the tobacco ban movement led by Mirza Shirazi’s, created two historically important results: First, the appearance of religious authorities’ unrivaled power in the country’s political scene and scholars leading in the mobilization of popular movements. This eventually led to the breakdown of the control of a dictatorship and the disintegration of colonial power in Iran and made spiritual leaders a symbol of national aspirations. Second, it led to a sea change of political opinion, which provided the context of a fundamental change in the administrative and political system of Iran and the formation of a larger populist movement during the Constitutional Uprising.

2- Is Ayatollah Sistani the only Shia cleric to call people to arm against ISIS?

NO, Ayatollah Shirazi also said defending Shrines is every Muslims’ duty, a duty that is self-evident without a scholar’s Fatwa. Ayatollah Shirazi’s office in Syria helped many Shia flee when anti-Shia groups targeted them in Zeynabia, Syria. His followers have also steadfastly protected the Seyedeh Zeynab Shrine in Syria since the Arab spring.

3- Is this a call to Jihad?

NO, both clerics clearly stated that it is a call to voluntary action. Jihad is when it becomes mandatory for ALL to join the army.

4- Will this call to arms turn into sectarian bloodshed in Iraq?

Both clerics invited all Iraqis to join the army, not just Shia Muslims. Therefore it is not a war against any sect but a countrywide effort to defend Iraq’s stability and Iraqi security against ISIS.

Also Ayatollah Sistani stressed that civilians who want to defend holy shrines should join the army, encouraging them to operate under the government’s supervision. This call to arms is not a call to vigilantism, which would become difficult to monitor.

5- What is the Iraqi reaction to the call to arms?

According to media outlets, thousands of Iraqi’s have joined the army so far. This call to arms has united the Sunni minority and Shia majority of Iraq against a common enemy, ISIS. By using their moral authority and considerable social influence in a nonsectarian and pro-Iraqi way, Shia clerics can help restore the mistrust that Iraqis have developed toward the Army since the embarrassing retreat in Mosul. Since the call to action, the army is increasingly made up of civilians motivated by the desire to ensure a that Iraq remains a country free from extremists, rather than those who fight for the sake of a government and its political agenda.

The situation in Iraq is a threat with ramifications that extend well beyond the borders of Iraq and is not limited to the Middle East. While all are closely monitoring the situation there has been very little action. Here are some suggestions for immediate action:

Saudi Arabia and Qatar must stop their financial and moral support to all terrorist groups in the region, including ISIS,
The UN must take steps to secure areas for vulnerable refugees displaced by the extremists in Iraq,
The Iraqi army should organize and train civilians who are joining the army. Volunteers who choose to fight to keep Iraq free from the grip of extremists in a time of violence have better motivation than those who joined for the prospect of a steady paycheck,
The government of Iraq also must work to unite all sects and groups within Iraq to fight one common enemy, ISIS.

ISIS and other terrorist groups cannot be defeated when the governments of neighboring countries, the US and Europe choose pragmatism over their self-professed values.

AEI: Shia Muslims are not Iran

“Mideast Shi’ites defy Iranian Domination?” was the title of a conference held by American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research (AEI) on June 19^thin Washington DC. It seems like the West is finally hearing what the Shia community has been trying to say.

Shia Muslims across the globe have consistently insisted that they should not be associated with Iran just because Iran is a predominantly Shia country. Yet, they have continually been ignored. In the Middle East and South Asia fear of Iran’s nuclear power and political advancements have led to a number of anti-Shia alliances such as the one in Malaysia that was announced in April 2014.

The same fear led Egyptians to hold anti-Shia rallies and attack Shia rituals and encouraged the international community to cover up the oppression of peaceful Shia pro-democracy protestors in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and normalized the targeted killing of Shia in Syria, Iraq and Pakistan.

Fear of Iran and its influence in the region muted empathy for the Shia citizens of Mosul who were killed when ISIS attacked the primarily Sunni Iraqi city. The Sunni residents of Mosul welcomed the killing of their Shia neighbors and the ISIS take over the city.

Associating Shia Muslims with the Iranian government has led to fear and distrust of Shia throughout the region and this fear has cost hundreds of thousands of Shia lives. Because Shia are associated with the Iranian government, their loyalty to their home countries is unjustly called into question. local support for Shia who are being killed, slaughtered and attacked in Pakistan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Egypt, Malaysia and… is undermined

The world’s apathy for the struggle of the Shia minority across the Middle East and elsewhere and its inaction in the face of growing anti-Shia movements could force many Shia to ask Iran for help and protection only serving the Iranian government’s desire to claim to represent the entire Shia population.

Shia Rights Watch (SRW), a human rights organization in Washington DC, was the first Shia NGO to reach out to governments, policy makers and senators to emphasize the position that Shia should not be associated with any government or political movement. “Shia hold different citizenships and are loyal to their own governments unless they are being oppressed”, said SRW director Mustafa Akhwand during an interview. “It is unrealistic and unfair to associate a certain faith with a certain government and then ignore their rights based on political agendas,” he continued.

AEI is among first NGOs that finally stood up and addressed how the United States can interact with Shia in Lebanon, Bahrain, Iraq and Azerbaijan as they work to resist Iranian influence. Such conferences attracted many American Shia who are eager to end their oppression, as well as many politicians who have finally decided to wake up and break the silence.

by Hawraa Zakery

Who is who in Yemen?

Yemenis, like citizens of number of other Islamic countries, have gone through tough times seeking social justice and freedom. In such process some groups gain power and some lose fair representation due to political agendas. Usually minorities are ones who are easier to sacrifice, and once again Yemeni Shia are paying the price of underrepresentation.

In recent conflict between Houthis and Yemeni Army as many as 500 people were killed during three weeks of flare-up in Sana’a.

Houthis, who are Zaidi Muslims: a small sect of Shia Islam. Media outlets have always identified this militant group as “Shiite insurgents” when Ansar Allah, he military wing of the Houthis Movement, have always stressed that whatever political agenda they carry, they do so on their own behalf and not under the banner of Shia Islam. They claim seeking justice for Yemenis and not a specific group in this country.

Many, including politicians and media agencies make the mistake of association all Yemeni Shia Muslims with this militant group. 45% of Yemeni population are Shia Muslims and most of them have no interest in military movement. They are loyal native Yemenis who practice Shia faith. Association all Yemeni Shia with Houthis is a misconception that endangers the Shia minority within this country. Historically Shia have been underrepresented and associated with political groups such as Hezbollah and Houthis who barely have good reputation in majority of Shia populations. Such association victimized many native Shia communities who do not receive any support from international committees due to such assumption.

Considering the increasing anti-Shia movements in Middle East it is critical that politicians and media outlets differentiate between militant groups and majority of Shia populations in order to present this minority in a more realistic picture.

The Houthis themselves say to aim to speak for the Yemeni people and represent the Yemeni people’s aspirations, beyond religious dogma and such differentiation is critical.

Shia of Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi, and even south Asian countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia are accused of depending on Iran and therefore this minority has not been supported or even advocated for by Western prodemocracy nations. Although Iran does not mind claiming all Shia and increase its political visibility, most Shia Muslims do not support this ideology of Iran. Ignoring rights of Shia population will only push this minority under the umbrella of Iran ad feed into what this country is aiming for.

International committees must knowledge the pain this community is feeling and protect them from political abuses.

Saudi Shia Muslim Victims of Secterian Isolation PART 2

This 23 pages report is part 2 to the original report that was published by SRW in 2012. This part highlights some of the heath and economical violations toward Shia Muslims in Saudi Arabia.

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AMERICAN MUSLIM JOINT STATEMENT ON CRISIS IN IRAQ

Introduction

The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (alternatively translated as Islamic State in Iraq and Syria), abbreviated as ISIL or ISIS, is an active Jihadist terrorist group with a mission to establish an illegal unrecognized state in Iraq and Syria under the auspices the Wahhabi movement[i]. This week, militants from the terrorist group attacked and overran several Iraqi cities, including one of Iraq’s most populous cities Mosul. The Iraqi military failed resoundingly to combat the terrorists, resulting in a speedy conquest of the cities and the capture of Iraqi police and security forces. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced. Representatives of ISIL have stated an intention to attack Karbala and destroy it[ii]. In statements released before the attacks, ISIL declared its intention to assassinate Grand Ayatollah Sistani[iii].

Recent Timeline

On 5 June 2014, ISIS militants stormed the city of Samarra in Iraq before being ousted from the city by airstrikes from the Iraqi military. On 6 June 2014, ISIL militants carried out multiple attacks in the Iraqi city of Mosul. On 7 June 2014, ISIL militants took over the University of Anbar in Ramadi, Iraq and held 1300 students hostage before being ousted by the Iraqi military. On 9 June 2014, Mosul fell to ISIL control. The militants seized control of government offices, the airport, and police stations. On 11 June 2014, ISIL seized the Turkish consulate in the Iraqi city of Mosul and kidnapped the head of the diplomatic mission and several staff members. ISIL subsequently also seized the Iraqi city of Tikrit.[iv]

Statement

It is an undeniable reality that Iraq is in a state of crisis, and the international community has a moral responsibility to speak out and act against ISIL whilst demanding peace and safety for the people of Iraq. We, the below signed Shia scholars, community leaders, mosques, faith communities, and activists hereby call for an immediate resolution to the crisis, and the removal of ISIL from the country of Iraq.

We condemn, in the strongest terms, the violent statements and actions of ISIL, and believe that no legitimate cause can ever be accomplished by terrorism, violence against innocents, or through sectarian hatred. We reject the narrative espoused by the leadership of ISIL, and do not accept that this crisis is a war between Sunni and Shia Muslims. Instead, we stand firmly in solidarity with the countless members of the Shia and Sunni Muslim communities who call for a better Iraq. ISIL’s strategy of intimidation, abduction, torture and murder are antithetical to the teachings of Islam, and can never be supported by any rational person.

ISIL’s leadership and members must be brought to justice. The world community must spare no effort in opposing ISIL, and restoring security to the besieged regions of Iraq, and its displaced people.

We, as American Muslims, call for Iraq’s citizenry to be granted safety and security, without the fear of aggression from terrorist elements. We reiterate our support for the peace loving people of Iraq, whether they are Shia, Sunni, or from any other religious, ethnic, or historical community. The rule of law must be preserved in Iraq, and there must be a strong focus on preserving human rights throughout all of Iraq.

Signatories

Al-Hakim Foundation

Al Kauser, New Jersey

Al-Khoei Center

Mustafa Akhwand

Sheikh Mohammad Al-Hilli

Saiyed Mehboob Mehdi Al-Najafi

Sayid Abdelsattar Almoussawi

Sayed Moustafa Al-Qazwini

Sheikh Fadel Al-Sahlani

Sayyid Haidar Bahar Al-Aloom

Baqee Organization

Freemuslim, Islamic Non Violence Organization

Imam Mahdi Education Center (IMEC), MD

Imamia Medics International (IMI)

Islamic Education Center, Husaini Assoc. of Greater Chicago (IEC Husseini)

Islamic Education Center of Orange County (IECOC)

Islamic Information Center (IIC)

Dr. Jafar Jawad

Mainstay Foundation

Muslims for Peace (MFP)

Organization of North American Shia Ithnasheri Muslim Communities (NASIMCO)

Shia Rights Watch (SRW)

Shirazi Foundation

Wizarat Rizvi

Dr. Ali Naqi (Naqvi) Syed (Chicago, IL)

Universal Muslim Association of America (UMAA)

*For individuals, names have been alphabetized by surname.

BBC News,. (2014). Profile: Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS). Retrieved 13 June 2014, from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-24179084

ITV News,. (2014). ISIS urges ‘march to Baghdad, Karbala and Najaf’. Retrieved 13 June 2014, from http://www.itv.com/news/update/2014-06-12/isis-urges-march-to-baghdad-karbala-and-najaf/

Iraq Oil Report,. (2014). ISIL threatens to kill Sistani. Retrieved 13 June 2014, from http://www.iraqoilreport.com/daily-brief/isil-threatens-kill-sistani-12202/

YouTube,. (2014). UN Security Council Condemns ISIS in Iraq. Retrieved 13 June 2014, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsDm-DdK8z8

ISIS Slaughtered two Shia Family in Samarra,Iraq

According to a report by our representative in Samarra, Iraq, two families were killed just outside Samarra, Iraq. The religious scholar Sayed Reza Bahtani, his wife and their child as well as another family who were in the Shia shrine for couple days left the shrine today heading toward Najaf. The terrorist group ISIS identified them as Shia Muslims and slaughtered the two families leaving their bodies on the street.

Maximum Alert in Iraq as of Today

Anti-Shia Terrorist group ISIS Gains Ground in Mosul

After last week’s attack on Samarra, the terrorist group The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) has taken control Mosul as Shia Rights Watch previously reported. Mosul and its surrounding villages are home to more than half a million Shia Muslims. The attack on Mosul resulted in ISIS taking over important government buildings and freeing over 2500 prisoners.

Just hours after the attacks began, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki declared a “maximum alert,” putting weapons into the hands of all the city’s men, and urged parliament to announce a countrywide “state of emergency.”

According to government sources, who did not want to be named, tens of thousands of Shia families were threatened to be slaughtered. The city’s Shia community of over 100 thousand out (of the half million Shia living in Mosul and environs) have tried to flee to Turkey along with everyone else, but are being denied entrance and must find refuge elsewhere.

According to some sources the Iraqi army fled the city of Mosul today as it was taken by ISIS, leaving behind weapons and equipment that had been sent by the US.

As the conflict elevated in Mosul, another attack occurred on Samarra which is still recovering from last week’s terrifying attack. Many Shia pilgrims are trapped inside the Shrinewith no access to food and water in Iraq’s triple digit desert heat.

The militants have taken over the local TV stations, the governor’s offices, banks, police stations, military bases, prisons, etc., and are waving black banners all across the city, a flag representing ISIS.

ISIS is now armed with the most advanced weapon available to the Iraqi army and are threatening the vulnerable Shia community. The conflict, that is was not a shock to government, is creating anxiety and extreme fear among residents and pilgrims who visit Iraq during the month of Sha’aban. Sha’ban is the month during which Shia pilgrims from around the world visit the city of Samarra, Iraq for religious celebration. Some sources reveal the Iraqi government was aware of the possible attacks by ISIS but underestimated the gravity of the threat.

SRW is concerned for the security of Shia Muslim residents and pilgrims in Iraq and condemns the lack of appropriate action and intervention by Iraqi government. SRW also holds Turkish authorities responsible for the harm and danger that these groups face due to their denial of entrance as refugees.

Finally, SRW calls all the humanitarian organizations and human rights organizations and the Kurdish authorities in northern Iraq to lend a helping hand to those families most in danger and muster a protective force in order to preserve the lives of innocent civilians.

The anti-Shia terrorist group Jaish-ul-Islam killed 25 Shia Muslim in Baluchistan

The anti-Shia terrorist group Jaish-ul-Islam claimed the deadly attack in Baluchistan, Pakistan.

On Sunday June 8^th 2014 more than 25 Shia pilgrims, including more than 10 women and children, were killed when suicide bombers attacked their buses. The attack took place yesterday when 10 buses carrying Shia pilgrims stopped at a hotel in Taftan.

According to security forces they killed six of the attackers after exchanging heavy fire. The official mentioned that terrorist groups knew the exact time and place of Shia pilgrims’ stops.

The home secretary of the province, Akbar Durrani confirmed that security forces were able to overpower the attackers after a few hours of heavy gunfire. The masked militants had come heavily armed and prepared for a siege.
“The bodies of the pilgrims are being shifted to hospitals and the injured are also getting treatment,” Durrani said.
“There were explosions after the buses were parked outside the hotels where the pilgrims were going to stay overnight before they commenced their journey back the following day,” Durrani said.
Attacks on Shia Muslim pilgrims have increased in recent years in the Baluchistan province where in the past also such attacks have killed dozens and injured scores of pilgrims.
Two devastating bombings in Quetta killed nearly 200 Shia last year and were claimed by banned anti-Shia extremist group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) which has links to al-Qaeda.
“We have to stand with [the] victim’s family and come up with [a] new strategy to protect Shia Muslims peacefully,“ said Mustafa Akhwand director of Shia rights Watch.

Anti-Shi’ism is increasing in Middle Eastern countries and all countries have a duty to promote peace and nonviolence. Governments must bring terrorist groups to the court of law, set strong messages to prevent human rights violations toward minorities and make our society safer.

Update, Attack on Samarra

Samarra, is an ISIS occupied town and home to two very important Shia shrines. Although Samarra is a Sunni populated city, the recent attack targeted Shia pilgrims with and was perpetrated with the intent to destroy two important Shia shrines. As many as 54 people were killed and the shine is still under ISIS siege with pilgrims inside as of yesterday.

According to Reuters, ISIS advanced on Samarra in pick-up trucks, raiding checkpoints along the way and blowing up a police station in an attack that killed several policemen. They also occupied Samarra’s two largest mosques and announced the “liberation” of the city via loudspeaker, urging residents to join their jihad (holy war) against the government.

As a result the Iraqi government bombed the city and a curfew has been imposed on Samarra and neighboring villages. As many as 54 were killed since last night and many more have been injured. ISIS has moved towardMosulandthere is conflict in that area as well.

Attacks against Shia shrines and pilgrims have been an ongoing issue in this country. Every year millions of Shia Muslims visit shrines in Iraq as an important part of their religious expression. . Yesterday’s attack carried by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, an al Qaeda splinter group known by the acronym ISIS, is one of the most extreme examples of a systematic violation of Shia rights by terrorist groups.

Shia Rights Watch is concerned for the Shia population in Iraq and urges the Iraqi government to retake the areas from ISIS and protect local citizens and pilgrims. Such a powerful attack and large number of ISIS occupying a city overnight raises question about the security reinforcement in that area.

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