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The Sky’s the Limit

This phrase used to be a phrase to encourage for development and success, to break the cycles of limitations and shoot high.

However,

To some, when it comes to courage to hurt, kill, harm, and hate, the sky’s the limit. In past violations and hate crimes was limited to killing and hitting. However as we develop and improve, crimes change their appearances too.

As a researcher is a human rights field I witnessed crimes change; social media, YouTube and apps are new tools for increasing trend of human rights violation.

Most recently Shia Rights Watch was informed of number of iPhone and iPad apps with misleading names. The users downloaded them assuming these apps are to teach about Shia faith however they found many hate messages toward Shia Muslims in them. The apps encourage for hatred and call Shia infidels. Unfortunately most of such apps are in Arabic, the language that many app developers and stores are not knowledgeable about.

SRW contacted Apple and inform them that such apps violate app development guidelines and human rights. They wrote back with promise to study the cases and delete them.

I wish we could still use the phrase to make big wishes and dream big……. It could be possible…. only if human rights violators were “human”….

By Hawraa Zakery, Human Rights Researcher               on December 6th, 2013

17 Died in Sadriya

Shia of Sadriya city in Iraq lost another 17 souls in two bomb explosions. Explosions happened in a coffee shop that people gather up for socializing. The explosion also wounded 37 civilians.

Most recent explosions in Iraq take place in areas such as markets and coffee shops where civilians use as gathering places. Evidences suggest the attacks are designed to target civilians, especially in Shia populated areas.

Although no group has claimed responsibility of any of the explosions, it is clear anti-Shia groups are involved since most targets are Shia Muslims. Targeting innocent civilians is the most inhumane violation, says Shia Rights Watch.

Europe, a New Concern?

Europe is becoming a new concern for Shia Rights Watch as Shia rights violation is increasing in different countries of that region. On the November 14th, 2013 a Shia Islamic Center was burned down by unidentified people in Lausanne. The Center was scheduled to hold Muahrram campaign the next day. There were many damages to the building and its properties, as activists reported. SRW has contacted the embassy of Switzerland in Washington DC and asked them to investigate the violation.

Shia Muslims have lived in different countries of Europe in peace for centuries, and newly reported violations does concerns SRW. Last year a mosque was burned down in Belgian and resulted in death of a Shia cleric. Other attacks and violations have been reported from London.

SRW is very concerned about the increasing Shia rights violation in Europe and hopes authorities prevent any future violation.

Please note the incident was not reported to local officials. SRW is exchanging information with the embassy to follow up with the issue.

Letter to Embassy of Switzerland

Letter to Switzerland Embassy

His Excellency Didier Burkhalter,

Federal Councillor of Switzerland to United States,

2900 Cathedral Avenue N.W.
Washington, DC 20008-3499
United States of America

Dear Mr. Councillor:

On behalf of Shia Rights Watch we are writing to highlight our concerns regarding the safety and security of the Shia Muslims in Switzerland as a Shia Islamic Center was burned down on November 14th, 2013. Switzerland has been a safe country in which Shia Muslims live in peace and security. The recent incident that took place on the most important Shia holiday raised concerns about the safety of this minority group.

As you may know, on November 14th, 2013 a Shia Islamic Center was burned in the city of Lausanne. Unknown anti-Shia people burned down the center late at night. The center was scheduled to hold important Muharram Campaign as part of Shia rituals in the next morning. Fortunately no one was hurt, however there were many damages to the property such as scholarly and prayer books, prayer rugs, and many others belongings.

SRW is concerned that anti-Shi’ism is reaching Switzerland as it reached many countries in Middle East and Africa. Shia Muslims are minority within Islam and their rights have been violated by many terrorist groups.

SRW is writing to follow up on the case and urge the Switzerland government to prevent any Shia rights violation by investigation the violation. Please do update us on the results of the investigation.

Sincerely,

Mustafa Akhwand

Director of Shia Rights Watch

Two days of bloodshed, 54 Died

Iraqi Shia Muslims lost another 25 souls today after at least 29 people were killed and dozens wounded in a series of bombings across the capital yesterday.

The bombs mostly target Shia populated cities or areas as about 7000 Shia Muslims have been killed so far in targeted killings in Iraq since January 2013.

Shia Muslims are majority in Iraq, yet they are under attack by terrorist groups every day. Total Shia Muslim killed in Iraq in the year 2013 is more than all killings in Syria that is going under war and unrest. Iraqi government has failed to protect Shia Muslims. This government must clean the country form all terrorist groups and stop any foreign founding in order to prevent violence, says Shia Rights Watch.

Muharram Campaign of 2013; Summary of Shia Rights Violations

Shia targeted killings and violations spikes in the first month of lunar calendar, as Shia Muslims participate in Muharram campaign. Muharram campaign is the very first universal campaign against violence and discrimination that was initiated by Shia Muslims after the tragedy of Karbala in the month of Muharram of 680 CE. In this universal campaign all Shia Muslims wear black attire for nearly two month and attend seminars and conferences to spread the message of freedom, respect, and non-violence. Shi’ism is the only faith that holds universal campaign against human rights violation as part of their religious rituals.

Every year hundreds of Shia Muslims are killed, their centers are closed and their active members are arrested by anti-Shia governments or extremists. Muharram of 2013 was another campaign full of fear and bloodshed.

As Shia Rights Watch predicted this Muharram Campaign was another unfortunate opportunity to pressure and limit Shia Muslims in different countries. In some cases such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran and Bahrain the oppressor and violator is the government and in other countries such as Egypt, Pakistan and Morocco the government is not the obvious violator but supports the violators by covering up their actions.

This article intends to summarize violations that Shia Muslims faced during their peaceful participation in Muharram Campaign of 2013.

Egypt:

Traditionally Egyptian Shia Muslims carry their campaign at Al-Hussein Mosque in Cairo. Last year and this year Salafis and anti- Shia groups threatened to kill whomever attend the Al-Hussein Mosque. As activists complained many Salafis gathered and blocked the Shia Muslims to enter the Mosque to participate in Muharram Campaign. The government has not taken any action to protect Shia Muslims or provide safe environment for them to participate in their humanitarian campaign.

Pakistan:

Wahhabi and anti-Shia clerics carried motivational speeches and called Shia infidel starting the month of Muharram. They urged people to prevent Muharram Campaign. According to SRW representative in Rawalpindi, about 600 people stopped Shia from entering their center by throwing stones at them. Numbers of gunmen were present among the attackers and shot and killed as many as 10 Shia Muslims, and wounded 30 others. Also numbers of Shia Islamic Centers were burned down.

Also Syed Shabir Hussain Shah, director of student affairs at a university in the eastern city of Gujrat city in Punjab province, was attacked while on his way to the campus by unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle. Pakistani government has failed to protect Shia Muslims in all their peaceful rituals.

Kuwait:

Forces of one of the local government attacked and destroyed a tent designated to Muharram campaign. As activists report Shia Muslims have obtained permission to set up the tent, yet the authorities destroyed it. They also damaged flags and banners and personal properties of Shia. 

India:

Authorities attacked and injured Shia Muslims at their gatherings. Indian Shia who were participating in Muharram campaign were attacked by tear gas and arrested for no legal reasons. The government was directly involved in the violation toward Shia Muslims.

Iran:

As Muharram campaign is honored by many Iranians, some social media outlets and web sites with domain name .IR insulted some Shia rituals in Muharram and even disrespected Shia scholars who advocate strongly for Muharram campaign. There is no evidence that government stopped or investigated this violation as they should have.

Iraq:

Iraq is the most important country for Shia in which Muharram campaign is carried by millions of people. Many Shia Muslims travel to this country in the month of Muharram. As many as 6000 Shia were killed in the year 2013 so far and 44 were killed for their participation in Muharram campaign. Terrorist have repeatedly aimed to destroy Shia historical sites and kill people who visit this country as part of Shia rituals.

Geneva:

Unknown terrorist targeted Shia Husseinia ( Islamic Center) in the city of Lausanne burning down the place. There were many damages to the property and the attackers are not identified yet. This is the first time such incident happens in Geneva.

Bahrain:

Many Shia Muslims activist reported Bahraini authorities raided Shia gatherings and took down their banners and advocacy signs. Also government collected all the flags and flyers from private properties. The authorities threatened Shia Muslims to prevent them from participating in Muharram campaign. The Bahraini government is directly responsible for Shia violations especially during Muharram campaign.

The violations are not limited to those summarized in this paper but these are some evidences that show Shia Muslims are being oppressed and violated against in many parts of the world. One of the reasons that Shia honor Muharram campaign is to show their opposition to oppression and violence against humanity. It is expected to see oppressor governments fight and prevent Muharram campaign because this campaign threatens their powers, although Muharram campaign is not a politically motivated movement, says Shia Rights Watch.

By the start of month of Muharram SRW sent letters to all the embassies of the countries above urging them to honor Muharram campaign and protect Shia Muslims yet many Shia Muslims lost their lives and safety due to their governments’ ignorance.

Arrest due to Muharram Ritual

An Egyptian Shia activist was arrested for practicing Shia ritual of Muharram. Amro Ibrahim attended Shia Islamic Center (Hussainia ) to participate in Muharram gathering on November 14th, 2013. Officials canceled the program on spot. Amro insisted he is practicing his human rights. Immediately he was arrested by forces.

Amro Ibrahim practiced his religion peacefully and within the constraints of Egyptian law says SRW. However, the government has not taken any measures to release him or provide information about his legal situation or charge.

SRW urges Egyptian government to release Ibrahim and treat all Egyptian same as they are all equal.

Shia Activists Condemn their Government’s Actions

Kuwaiti Shia Muslims condemn their government’s recent violations of the rights of Shia Muslims. Recently Kuwait expelled influential Shia scholars from the country. Many Shia Muslim speakers who were traveling to Kuwait for speaking engagements were prevented from entering the country.

Thawabet Shia, an organization that protects Shia Rights in Kuwait, stated that the Kuwaiti constitution explicitly protects the right to freedom of religion and that the government must take active steps to implement this right.

Shia Muslims make up 40% of the Kuwaiti population. The government of Kuwait has an obligation to protect the significant Shia minority, but instead has chosen to oppress them and limit their free exercise of religion.

SRW urges the government of Kuwait to protect Shia Muslims in their free exercise of religion, especially during the holy month of Muharram.

Muharram in Bahrain

muharramBahraini forces attack Shia Muslims in their Muharram rituals. According to activists Bahraini forces have increased pressure on Shia Muslims as they participate in Shia rituals of Muharram. Many Shia Muslim gatherings, seminars and rituals were raided and some Shia were injured. The governmental forces ripped banners and flags and used tear gas to disperse Shia Muslims.

Shia rituals in Muharram have no political motive and is a peaceful religious gathering, says Shia Rights Watch.

SRW condemns the violations of Bahraini government toward Shia Muslims. Bahrain kingdom has no right to limit or prevent Shia from participating in their rituals and this kingdom must respect Shia Muslims and recognize them as rightful citizens of the nation.

SRW‘s Thanks to Spokesman for the World Federation of the Sufi in Paris

SRW‘s Thanks to Spokesman for the World Federation of the Sufi in Paris

Shia Rights Watch would like to thank Dr Abdel Halim Al-Azmi the Secretary-General and spokesman for the World Federation of the Sufi in Paris for his respect to Shia rituals in the month of Muharram. Dr Al-Azmi stated Ashura, Shia Rituals in Muharram, is not limited to Shia Muslims and belongs to all Muslims. Therefore Salafis have no right to threat Shia for this ritual. He continued emphasizing that Islam is the religion of peace and tolerance not violence.

As Muharram and its ritual began on November 5th, Salafis and Wahabbis, two most Shia rights violator terrorist groups have threatened and killed Shia Muslims to prevent them from participating in their rituals.

SRW appreciates Dr Abdel Halim Al-Azmi’s respect towards Shia rituals and believes all humanity can learn important lessons from Muharram campaign if they respect each other.

UN Complaint