Letter to Iraqi Ambassador Lukman Faily

His Excellency Lukman Faily

Ambassador of Republic of Iraq to the United States of America
Iraq Embassy
3421 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20007

Dear Mr. Ambassador:

On behalf of Shia Rights Watch we are writing to highlight our concerns regarding the safety and security of the Shia Muslims in Iraq as Shia targeted killings, and bombings is increasing dramatically in this country. The pain and sorrow that Iraqi Shia are facing is beyond human’s capacity and will affect their healthy function.

As you are aware there have been 5700 death in Iraq since January 2013 and the death toll is increasing every day. Hundreds of families lost their loved ones in explosions; many children are left as orphans and more families have become homeless or lost their caregivers and breadwinners; Visitors and pilgrims are attacked constantly. Most recently an elementary school was attacked in the Tal Afar village and killed 12 children and collapsed the school. Most attacks take place at busy market places, funeral gatherings and near Shia mosques and shrines. Also majority of the bombings and explosions are planned as coordinated series and that means there are systematic approaches to target Shia population, especially innocent citizen.

Shia Muslims are not safe mostly in Sunni led countries or in countries in which they are minority. However Shia of Iraq are majority and the country is led by Shia government, therefore Shia Muslims are expected to be more secure and safe.

SRW is concerned that Iraqi government is not doing what it takes to secure its citizen and block outsider’s financial resources and ideological influences. There are reports that reveal mountains and isolated areas of Iraq are occupied by terrorists and Al-Qaida forces. Terrorists must not find Iraq a safe place to plan their anti-human activities.

The organization urges the Iraqi government to identify extremists and their resources and immediately stop them. Also the government should train forces to secure the cities and capture those who are responsible for the death of thousands of Shia Muslims in Iraq.

Sincerely,

Mustafa Akhwand

Director of Shia Rights Watch

Letter to Secretary John Kerry on Violations of Religious Freedom in Malaysia

OCTOBER 3, 2013 | By Shia Rights Watch

Letter to Secretary John Kerry on

Violations of Religious Freedom in Malaysia

October 2, 2013

The Honorable John Kerry
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20520

Dear Mr. Secretary of State,

We are writing to you today to bring to your attention serious violations of religious freedom in Malaysia. Malaysia’s fragile political consensus is threatened by the government’s active promotion of only one form of Sunni Islam. Religious minorities face both societal abuse, limits on religious expression, discrimination, and the demolition of unregistered places of worship.

We urge you to highlight the importance of freedom of religion and expression during your visit. As President Obama said so eloquently in his 2009 speech in Cairo, as a way to move forward, we must “say openly the things we hold in our hearts, and that too often are said only behind closed doors,” because we all share the “common principle…of justice and progress, tolerance and dignity of all beings.” Unfortunately, Malaysian politics is often not tolerant of dissenting views.

Malaysia presents itself as a model, moderate Muslim-majority country. Too often however, religion is used as a political wedge issue for politicians seeking support among the majority Malay and Sunni Muslim population, leaving many ethnic and religious minorities marginalized and with reasonable fears about their lack of civil liberties and legal recourse. Non-Muslims and dissenting Muslims are often disallowed from voicing their concerns, face death threats, detentions, or attacks by vandals. The government maintains a secret list of banned religious organizations. The fears of religious minorities and the expansion of Muslim/non-Muslim political competition in Malaysia are not “soft” side issues but may have critical policy and strategic impacts that could limit U.S. interests in Southeast Asia.

Shia Muslim practice is restricted, their mosques raided by police, their publications banned and confiscated, and recently 21 Shia practitioners were arrested in August and September 2013 because their faith is considered “deviant” from the “true Islam.” Hindus and Christians have faced explicit discrimination in cases adjudicated by the Sharia courts involving issues such a marriage and divorce, parental rights, conversions, and funeral rites. In addition, the Malaysian government has failed to grant equal rights to non-Muslim places of worship or to fully protect them from demolition or vandalism.

Ten thousand Hindu temples/shrines have been demolished or desecrated (includes private shrines located on plantation estates). In addition, following a High Court decision ruling that the government’s ban on the use of “Allah‟ in non-Muslim publications infringed upon constitutional rights, including freedom of expression and freedom to practice one’s religion, several non-Muslim places of worship were attacked, including at least 10 Christian churches and a Sikh gurudwara.

We urge you, as Secretary of State, to highlight the universal notions of freedom of religion and freedom of expression to the Malaysian government and seek promises from the Malaysian government to promote tolerance and respect for all religious minorities, end the ban on religious publications and other restrictions on religious expression, recognize all religions and give them freedom to practice their peaceful rituals, and release anyone being held for their religious activities or religious freedom advocacy.
Sincerely,
ORGANIZATIONS

SHIA RIGHTS WATCH

AMERICAN HUMANIST ASSOCIATION

AMERICANS FOR DEMOCRACY & HUMAN RIGHTS IN BAHRAIN

FREEMUSLIM ASSOCIATION

HINDU AMERICAN FOUNDATION

HUMAN RIGHTS LAW FOUNDATION

HUMAN RIGHTS WITHOUT FRONTIERS INTERNATIONAL (BRUSSELS)

IMAM SHIRAZI FOUNDATION

INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

RUSSIAN ORTHODOX AUTONOMOUS CHURCH OF AMERICA

UNION OF COUNCILS FOR JEWS IN THE FORMER SOVIET UNION (UCSJ)

VENN INSTITUTE

Individuals
Dr. Joel C. Hunter
Senior Pastor
Northland – A Church Distributed

Amjad Mahmood Khan
National Director of Public Affairs
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA

Jeff King
President
International Christian Concern

Paul Marshall
Center for Religious Freedom
Hudson Institute

Brent McBurney
President & CEO
Advocates International

Faith J. H. McDonnell
Director, Religious Freedom Program
The Institute on Religion and Democracy

Greg Mitchell
President
The Mitchell Firm

Rev. Sue Taylor
Church of Scientology National Affairs Office

CC: Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, Ambassador-at-Large, International Religious Freedom

Turkey joining Anti-Shia violators?

Rapid changes in Middle East’s policies that result in growing Anti- Shi’ism is now effecting Turkey, says Shia Rights Watch.

Turkey is a home for many Shia Muslims who identify themselves as Turkish Shia Muslims. In fact there is a significant number of Shia in this country. Although there is no accurate information on the exact size of the Shia community, it has been estimated to constitute as little as 7 percent and as much as 30 percent of Turkey’s total population. However there is many more Shia Muslims living in Turkey as thousands of Shia flee from Syria to this country after Shia targeted killing increased in their home country.

Mehmet Ali Tugtan, professor at Istanbul’s Bilgi University states “we are against Israel, pro-Muslim brotherhood, against Al-Assad, pro-Free Syrian Army and within the Free Syrian Army we are more pro-Sunni element”. The growth of support for Muslim Brotherhood and Sunni elements in Turkey are warnings signs that concern Shia Muslims in this country.

Many Syrian Shia Muslims admit not accessing Turkish government’s refugee camps so they won’t be identified as Shia Muslims. Even native Shia of Turkey are experiencing escalating fear of discrimination in their own country.

SRW strongly urges the Turkish government to take necessary steps to prevent Shia rights violation and assure all citizens that they will be safe. Everyone has the right to practice its freedom of religion and Turkey authorities must respect all and stop spread of extremist ideologies immediately.

A Week Full of Sorrow for Iraqis

Pain and sorrow increases as many Iraqis lose their loved ones every day.

First week of October turned to a bloody week in Iraqi Shia Muslim populated areas. At least 202 people have been killed in six apparently coordinated bomb attacks in different cities.

One bomb attack in mainly commercial area of Baghdad killed 22 people.

Another explosion happened inside a cafe north of the capital and killed at least 66 people.

On the same day a suicide bomber killed 27 in the Shia Turkomen village of Qabak, just outside the town of Tal Afar.

One car bomb in the Tal Afar village targeted an elementary school while children ages 6 to 12 were in class. The dead included 12 children, the school principal and two policemen. Another 90 people were wounded, according to sources. The village is home to only about 200 residents, and part of the single-story school collapsed as a result of the blast. At least 12 people were killed and 23 wounded in that attack, according to police and hospital officials.

For the second time in less than 24 hours a suicide bomber managed to pass security checkpoints and target Shia pilgrims making their way to a golden-domed shrine in northern Baghdad where two revered Shia Imams are buried.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but suicide bombers and car bombs are frequently used by al-Qaida’s Iraq branch. It often targets Shia civilians.

Almost 1,000 were killed in Iraq in September alone according to the UN and the violence against Shia Muslim continues with no prevention strategies from Iraq government.

ongoing violence in Iraq is shame for humankind, says SRW.

Birth of Anti Shia Ideologies in Western Sahara

As Anti-Shia activities spreads around the world, more and more countries adopt them. Once Saudi Arabia was the center of Shia rights violations. The failure to initiate prevention policies by international committee because of political interests resulted in widespread of Wahhabi ideologies. Now the anti-Shia ideologies spread from Arabia to many other countries, even very isolated territories such as Western Sahara in Africa.

SRW has been contacted by number of Shia Muslims of Western Sahara in Africa. Shia Muslims of that area have been threatened by anti-Shia groups, according to sources. Anti-Shia terrorists give out handouts that degrade Shia Muslims. The handouts created an environment in which Shia Muslims of the area do not feel safe.

SRW is concerned that new activities endanger Shia Muslims’ lives and result in conflict between people. Very similar hand outs and lectures resulted in mob attack and killing of Hassan Shahateh, a very famous Shia Muslim leader of Egypt in June 2013.

The organization calls in native and local authorities in the area to immediately investigate the anti-Shia activities and prevent any human rights violation. SRW urges the authorities to secure the area so all citizen, regardless of their faith, feel safe and live in peace. Western Sahara’s local forces must prevent spread of anti-Shia ideologies immediately says Msutafa Akhwand, director of Shia Rights Watch.

Extremists Enjoy Freedom in Kenya

Siege at Kenyan Mall got lots of attention from Media last week. It is interesting that Kenya is one of the countries in which terrorist and their leaders feel secure to spread their ideologists. Abu Sharif Ahmed is an example of so called leaders who are proud of their anti-human ideologies who have freedom in this country. Abu Sharif Ahmed is one of the most dangerous extremist’s leaders who encourage youth to join Al-Shabab terrorist group. He is known by his nickname Makabvry. Makabvry enjoys freedom to advocate for terror and recruit soldiers for Somalia’s al-Shabaab terrorist group.

It is unacceptable that in many countries of the work extremist’s leaders enjoy security and freedom to spread their hatred messages, says Shia Rights Watch.

Al-Shabaab is a Somalian group that was identifies as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government in March 2008. The group has been responsible for many terror activities. Makabvry openly encourages youth to join terrorist groups and participate in killings, especially targeted killings of Shia Muslims.

Minorities and human rights activists are threatened and denied their basic human rights while key terrorists are free to spread their messages. SRW believes it is critical for governments to identify terrorists leaders and stop their activities.

Kenya’s government is responsible for the increasing number of youth that are joining terrorist groups and must take serious action to stop them. Human rights violators such as Makabvry should not be free and feel secure to recruit for terrorist groups. Kenya’s government must act immediately.

Letter to Secretary John Kerry on Violations of Religious Freedom in Malaysia

In Malaysia religious minorities continue to see their freedom of religion and expression restricted. Malaysian authorities often ban publications, close or destroy worship centers and arrest members of the Shia community and other mystical sects.

In a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, Shia Rights Watch details the worst excesses of governmental discrimination toward religious minorities in Malaysia.

SRW is joined by a diverse group of human rights organizations, advocacy groups, and religious leaders concerned about the ongoing and escalating violations of the freedoms of religion, expression, and assembly in Malyasia.

More than 20 Shia Muslims were arrested in August and September of 2013. Among the arrested is Dr Nur Azah mother of a toddler who was arrested from her clinic in Kamunting for having Shia prayer books at her office. Mohd Ridzuan bin Yusof, Abdul Manaf bin Abdul Hamid, Idris Bin Mat Desa, Abu Bakar bin Ahmad, Nur Azah binti Abdul Halim and Nazahatulniza binti Abdullah are six out of 16 others arrested after the federal state of Kedah banned Shia publications. Police also raided and closed a Shia worship and community center in Gombak, Selangor, damaging the centers and seizing many books and personal belongings.

Hindu and Christian are among the minorities who face discrimination as the Malaysian government demolishes their churches and temples.

Religious minorities face discrimination and restrictions on the universal freedoms of religion and expression. These violations undermine Malaysia’s reputation for religious tolerance and threaten the ethnic and religious consensus on which Malaysia is built, said Mustafa Akhwand, Shia Rights Watch director. We urge Secretary of State John Kerry and his Administration to raise these issues with the Malaysian government.

Letter to Secretary John Kerry on

Violations of Religious Freedom in Malaysia

October 2, 2013

The Honorable John Kerry
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20520

Dear Mr. Secretary of State,

We are writing to you today to bring to your attention serious violations of religious freedom in Malaysia. Malaysia’s fragile political consensus is threatened by the government’s active promotion of only one form of Sunni Islam. Religious minorities face both societal abuse, limits on religious expression, discrimination, and the demolition of unregistered places of worship.

We urge you to highlight the importance of freedom of religion and expression during your visit. As President Obama said so eloquently in his 2009 speech in Cairo, as a way to move forward, we must “say openly the things we hold in our hearts, and that too often are said only behind closed doors,” because we all share the “common principle…of justice and progress, tolerance and dignity of all beings.” Unfortunately, Malaysian politics is often not tolerant of dissenting views.

Malaysia presents itself as a model, moderate Muslim-majority country. Too often however, religion is used as a political wedge issue for politicians seeking support among the majority Malay and Sunni Muslim population, leaving many ethnic and religious minorities marginalized and with reasonable fears about their lack of civil liberties and legal recourse. Non-Muslims and dissenting Muslims are often disallowed from voicing their concerns, face death threats, detentions, or attacks by vandals. The government maintains a secret list of banned religious organizations. The fears of religious minorities and the expansion of Muslim/non-Muslim political competition in Malaysia are not “soft” side issues but may have critical policy and strategic impacts that could limit U.S. interests in Southeast Asia.

Shia Muslim practice is restricted, their mosques raided by police, their publications banned and confiscated, and recently 21 Shia practitioners were arrested in August and September 2013 because their faith is considered “deviant” from the “true Islam.” Hindus and Christians have faced explicit discrimination in cases adjudicated by the Sharia courts involving issues such a marriage and divorce, parental rights, conversions, and funeral rites. In addition, the Malaysian government has failed to grant equal rights to non-Muslim places of worship or to fully protect them from demolition or vandalism.

Ten thousand Hindu temples/shrines have been demolished or desecrated (includes private shrines located on plantation estates). In addition, following a High Court decision ruling that the government’s ban on the use of “Allah‟ in non-Muslim publications infringed upon constitutional rights, including freedom of expression and freedom to practice one’s religion, several non-Muslim places of worship were attacked, including at least 10 Christian churches and a Sikh gurudwara.

We urge you, as Secretary of State, to highlight the universal notions of freedom of religion and freedom of expression to the Malaysian government and seek promises from the Malaysian government to promote tolerance and respect for all religious minorities, end the ban on religious publications and other restrictions on religious expression, recognize all religions and give them freedom to practice their peaceful rituals, and release anyone being held for their religious activities or religious freedom advocacy.

Sincerely,

ORGANIZATIONS

SHIA RIGHTS WATCH

AMERICAN HUMANIST ASSOCIATION

AMERICANS FOR DEMOCRACY & HUMAN RIGHTS IN BAHRAIN

FREEMUSLIM ASSOCIATION

HINDU AMERICAN FOUNDATION

HUMAN RIGHTS LAW FOUNDATION

HUMAN RIGHTS WITHOUT FRONTIERS INTERNATIONAL (BRUSSELS)

IMAM SHIRAZI FOUNDATION

INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

RUSSIAN ORTHODOX AUTONOMOUS CHURCH OF AMERICA

UNION OF COUNCILS FOR JEWS IN THE FORMER SOVIET UNION (UCSJ)

VENN INSTITUTE

Individuals

Dr. Joel C. Hunter
Senior Pastor
Northland – A Church Distributed

Amjad Mahmood Khan
National Director of Public Affairs
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA

Jeff King
President
International Christian Concern

Paul Marshall
Center for Religious Freedom
Hudson Institute

Brent McBurney
President & CEO
Advocates International

Faith J. H. McDonnell
Director, Religious Freedom Program
The Institute on Religion and Democracy

Greg Mitchell
President
The Mitchell Firm

Rev. Sue Taylor
Church of Scientology National Affairs Office

CC: Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook, Ambassador-at-Large, International Religious Freedom

Arab Kings Label the victims to Cover their own Violations

As many as 50 activists are sentences to 5 to 15 years in prison for demanding human rights and equality.

Oppression and discrimination of Bahraini government that led to protest and unrest in this country is taking even more serious face by sentencing of peaceful protestors. Bahrain is one of few countries in which Shia Muslims are majority yet they are suppressed under a Sunni-led kingdom. Shia Muslims have always complained for the unfair treatments they have faced in this country. The oppression became so unbearable that it resulted in mass protest in 2011. Since then, the government openly attacks them by raiding their homes and Islamic centers, killing and imprisoning activist and even arresting minors and women.

Recently 50 more activists were sentences to jail for their “anti- government” activities.

SRW believes it is unfortunate that peaceful protest have become a “legal” reason for the government to violate citizens’ right to freedom and expression. “Anti- government” and “Terrorist Activities” are labels Arab kings use to cover their human rights violations and blame the victims. SRW believes the peaceful protests should not be considered “anti-government” movements but should be viewed as an active demand for freedom and equality that all deserve. Bahrain government can easily and quickly bring peace back to the country by recognizing Shia Muslims and give them freedom to practice their faith and participate in all aspects of the government equally.

Shia Rights Watch’s Message to Saudi Authorities

As Hajj ritual starts soon, SRW invites the Saudi Arabia’s kingdom to assure security and freedom of Shia Muslims to participate in Hajj. Every year thousands of Shia Muslims travel to Saudi Arabia for pilgrimage. However instead of warmth welcome form authorities they face multiple restrictions that limit their ability to practice their faith or threaten their security.

SRW receives number of complaints from Shia Muslims living in or visiting Saudi Arabia during Hajj. Saudi authorities have repeatedly insulted Shia Muslims, searched their residences, seized their ritual prayers books, and in some cases arrested them.

Hajj is becoming more and more difficult for Shia Muslims as anti-Shi’im is growing in this country.

SRW urges Saudi Kingdom to take advantage of Hajj season to spread peace and initiate dialog among Muslims. Shia Muslims must feel secure to go to Hajj and Saudi has no rights to prevent them from their religious duty.

14 Explosions and 50 More Death

A woman reacts at the site of a car bomb attack in Baghdad's Sadr City — Picture by Reuters Media

More than 50 Iraqi Shia Muslims are dead after 14 bombs exploded in Iraq on September 30, 2013. Systematic targeted killings in Iraq are responsible for death of more than 6000 people in Iraq since January 2013. No terrorist group has claimed the responsibility of the explosions.

It is unclear if the attacks are to pressure Iraqi government and to create unrest or are designed to kill Shia Muslims for sectarian reasons. Whatever the motivation is it is resulting in death of thousands of civilians who live in peace.

SRW condemns the ongoing violations and asks Iraqi forces to increase country’s security and cleansing it from terrorist groups.

Welcome to Shia Rights Watch

It is unacceptable that in many countries of the work extremist’s leaders enjoy security and freedom to spread their hatred messages, says Shia Rights Watch.