Six Cities under Attack

Shia killings continue in Iraq after July that was the deadliest month since 2006. Shia populated areas of Iraq faces more bomb explosion than any other country in the world. Explosions on Tuesday August 6^th killed 30 and injured 100 of people.

UN reported 1,057 deaths and 2,236 Iraqi wounded however many officials believe the number is much higher: In fact violent and death toll in Iraq in much higher than in Syria.

Explosions happened in Al-Nahrawan, Karrada, Al-Shaab , Al-Husseiniya, Al-Dora and Zafaraniya. Most explosions happened right before Iftar. Iftar is the time Muslims break their Ramadan fast.

Iraq is facing increasing violence against Shia Muslims and the government has not been able to protect civilians. Terrorist groups attack Shia to increase tension and show opposition to the government.

SRW believs the government should work harder in bring security back to Iraq and must communicate with opposition groups in order to stop the violence.

Rationality Behind the Formula?

Last week I posted an article about my journey to finding a formula to Shia targeted killings. Since the formula is created by humans, then I would expect some sort of rationality behind it… so I began examining the history and also recent world activities.

The rationalities I found are very funny. Here goes the list:

1)Rationality: The world should be cleaned from Shia Muslims …..so anti-Shia think they can kill ALL Shia Muslims in the world?

My Question: Really? All of them? So they are willing and ready to kill about half of all Muslims?

2)Rationality: Shia Muslims are infidels so they deserve being killed.

My Question: 1^st that is not a true statement and 2^nd are there no other infidels left in the world, and Shia are the only group left to be killed?

3)Rationality: Shia are minorities and the world is a better place if we are all one big alike group.

My Question: Are Shia only minorities and by killing them the world would be made up all majorities? What will happen to all the other minorities? Can anti-Shia terrorists even imagine a world in which everyone is alike?

4)Rationality: Shia Muslims are trying to take away kingdoms and governments?

My Question: Did Shia ever asked or demanded power? Beside even in Shia governed countries violate Shia rights are being violated.

5)Rationality: Anti- Shia are scared from Shia Muslims.

My Question: HHMMM, I wonder why?

Maybe because they do not even know Shia, after all, humans are scared of what they don’t know.

I tried to put my foot into ant-Shia groups shows and all the rationalities I figured are irrational a …..

I know Shia Muslims’ only demand is freedom to be who they are and practice what they believe in peacefully, away from violence and killings.

Is that too much to ask??

By Hawraa, Human Rights Activist and Specialist on August 6, 2013

So…. What is the Formula?

Working as a researcher that reads and writes about Shia Muslims’ oppressions 24/7 and having long background in Psychology and Education made me wonder about the existence of a formula to Shia targeted killings. Probably if we find the formula, we can predict the future and plan accordantly, to change the world to a better place!!!! maybe?

So one formula could be: “Kill Minorities and the world will be a better place” . Majorities do not like minorities so they kill them, Rights?

WRONG….

In Iraq Shia are majority and are being killed to create instability and weaken the government,

In Bahrain Shia are majority and are being killed because the government does not feel they should be entitled any rights,

Another formula could be: “Kill minorities because they are threat to security”. So maybe Shia minorities threaten the security of the majority therefore they are being killed, Right?

WRONG again,

In Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and Indonesia Shia have always lived in peace with the rest of the society, yet the governments cannot stand them.

Seems like it is not even the matter of minority or majority!?

Because in some parts of the Pakistan Shia are majority and in some other parts they are minority, and they are being killed in all parts of the country.

In Syria Shia Muslims are minority and the government is Alawi yet they are being killed for many reason. Some kill Shia to take revenge from the Alawi government, some kill Shia because they were told Shia are infidels and it is an honor to kill them, some others kill Shia because it’s fun, and some kill them hopping there would be no more Shia to stand up for their rights and say no to their oppressors. In fact the story of Shia in Syria is one of the scariest so far. There, Shia are not just dying in car bombs, they are slaughtered, in some cases in front of each other just to add some flavor of torture to it. However there are many more deaths in Iraq where there is a democratic government in place. Death toll in Iraq rose 4000 since January 2013. Sadly the victims are always random civilians. Many of them killed while shopping or attending rituals.

After hours of thinking and analyzing I realized there is a formula….however it is the most unfair one. I figure the formula is “kill Shia Muslims and don’t look for reason”…..

To me that is a very barbarian and inhumane formula.

I wake up every morning with the hope to replace the formula…….Any suggestions?

By Hawraa, a Human Rights Activist and Specialist on August 1, 2013.

Saudi Shia: Oppression Continues

Shia rights violations continue in Saudi Arabia as security forces arrest and raid homes of Shia activists who peacefully protest in order to gain freedom and recognition.

As many as nine Shia Muslims were arrested in Awamiya village of Qatif today July 30, 2013. Forces also arrested three women and release them shortly after. Shia Muslims are minority in Saudi Arabia and they have always been oppressed under the Al-Saud kingdom. Arab Spring gave the Shia courage to stand up for their rights and demand freedom and democracy. The pressure and violation increased since and the government creates false accusation to arrest Shia Muslims.

Shia Muslims have lived in Saudi Arabia for years and they have never caused unrest in the country. They only protest peacefully to demand their rights and show their opposition to Saudi’s involvement is Shia killings in other countries such as Bahrain.

Shia Rights Watch condemns Saudi government’s use of violent and arm against peaceful protestors. The government should recognize Shia and protect their rights.

Ramadan and Bloodshed in Pakistan

Bloodshed increases as Ramadan passes in Pakistan, as hundreds have been killed in targeted suicidal bombing in Shia populated areas.

Two suicidal members blew themselves up near two Shia Muslim mosques in Parachinar. Thirty-nine Shia were killed and 72 other wounded as the result. The death toll increases as many are seriously wounded. State TV reported 42 dead and 180 injured so far. Attacks occurred on the Friday as people attend mosques for special rituals. Friday is considered a holy day and is very important to many Shia Muslims.

Parachinar is home to a large number of Shiite Muslims, which are a minority sect in Pakistan. Wahhabis and Salafis do not view Shia as Muslims, therefore permit killing them.

Shia Muslims of Pakistan have been discriminated against for centuries and the government has failed to protect them. Many natives blame Pakistani government for the sectarian violent.

SRW condemns the attacks and urges the government to protect Shia and asks the U.S government to pressure Pakistani government to investigate the attacks.

Deadliest Ramadan in the History of Iraq

Ramadan, is half way through and so far it has been a month full of bloodshed. Tens of suicidal and car explosions have killed hundreds of people in this month. Iraq hosts thousands of visitors during the month of Ramadan and SRW is concerned about the security and safety of pilgrims who visit this country in the remaining days of Ramadan. As many as 520 people have lost their right to live since the beginning of July 2013. Most of the attacks took place in worship centers, mosques and busy markets. The nature of these attacks was to target innocent citizens and it is a crime that must be stopped.

Official forces are urged to secure the country and protect not only all citizens but also pilgrims. Safety and security are human rights which must be protected. An increase in saefty measures adds to the credibility of the government, increases pilgrims, and therefore helps the country’s economic rises as well.

SRW asks the Iraqi government to increase security of the country and investigate the killings immediately.

SRW Attends U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Briefing on the Future of Religious Freedom in Pakistan

On Thursday, July 18th, SRW representatives attended the USCIRF briefing on the future of religious freedom in Pakistan. Every year, USCIRF releases a report detailing various violations of religious freedom. The situation in Pakistan is particularly concerning with a number of religious minorities being persecuted against. Speakers included Peter Bhatti, a member of the Pakistani Christian community and brother of murdered Pakistani Cabinet member Shahbaz Bhatti, Qasim Rashid, a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslims community, Rahat Husain, a Shia Muslim from the Universal Muslim Association of America, and Jay Kansara, a Hindu and associate director of the Hindu American Foundation.
During the briefing, both violent persecution committed by militants and religious extremists, as well as legal discrimination on the part of the Pakistani government were discussed. The four main religious minorities in Pakistan (Shia, Ahmadis, Christians, and Hindus) all faced religiously motivated violence. The situation facing Shia Muslims is especially bad, perhaps even constituting genocide. In the past year, USCIRF documented over 400 deaths of Shia Muslims targeted by militants and terrorist organizations. While the violence against the other groups is not quite as prevalent, all four minorities face kidnappings, rapes, forced conversions, murders and attacks on religious buildings.
The Pakistani government also systematically discriminates against these minorities. The controversial blasphemy laws in Pakistan targets religious minorities and dissenting Muslims. It allows “dissenting Muslims” who do not agree with the state’s interpretation of Islam to be imprisoned, and many are serving life sentences or are to be executed for their religious beliefs.
Another aspect that was talked about was the education system. Minorities are discriminated against in the education system, and the required textbooks often alienate religious minorities. Discrimination is likely to continue if children are taught at a young age to discriminate against these minorities.
Lastly, Shuja Nawaz, Director of the South Asia Center, Atlantic Council, gave an introductory summary of the situation in Pakistan. He spoke of the many schisms in Pakistani society, including religious, ethnic, and tribal breakups. He talked about how various military and political groups will often manipulate exacerbate these tensions to their advantage. Having these conflicting political and military groups, combined with societal tensions and a weak Pakistani government has led to Pakistan becoming a failing state and of particular concern to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
SRW thanks UCIRF for looking into Shia rights violations in Pakistan and hopes to help Pakistani Shia regain their security and dignity.

A month of Peace turned to Month of Blood

Iraq has witnessed at least four explosions in the first week of Muslims’ holy month of Ramadan.

In Karbala, one of the most important holy cities of Shia Muslims, an explosion near farmer market killed five and wounded 19 others.

Also a suicide bomber exploded himself in the Musayyib mosques in Babul killing 12 and wounding 25.

In Basrah and Kut two cars exploded and killed 11 and wounded 35 Shia Muslims.

Lastly three people were killed and 13 injured in a car explosion in Nasiriyah, Iraq.

The explosions took place in busy areas where civilians attend to shop or pray in the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is one of the most important months in which all Muslims, regardless of their faith, fast. The rituals of this month is meant to bring Muslim closer to each other and spread the spirit of brotherhood, yet Anti- Shia terrorist groups use it to target Shia gatherings.

Shia Rights Watch asks and urges all groups to respect this month and spread peace instead of hatred.

Pakistan, Giving up its Most Valuable Assets

Six Shia Muslims killed in Quetta Pakistan on July 16, 2013. Among six are Raza Hussain, the owner of Ali Traders, and Muhmmad Idrees an athlete. All targets were killed when heading home to break their fast as Muslims practice this ritual in the month of Ramadan. It is believed the recent killings are related to the trend that targets Shia professionals. Not long ago, Shia Rights Watch reported the new trend of killings that targeted Shia professionals and influential figures in Pakistan. Since then many Shia doctors, lawyers, businessmen, and college professors have been killed. It is unfortunate to witness that Pakistani government lacks interest to protect its citizens. SRW believes well educated and professional figures are assets of nations yet some chose to give up their assets. SRW has contacted Pakistani embassy in Washington DC many times to discuss the Shia rights violation in this country however the embassy refuses to meet and take advantage of the suggestions that could help end the ongoing human rights violations in Pakistan.

Refuse to Pay Tax? Another Type of Human Right Violation

Most of the times it is believed human rights violations accrue when authorities misuse their power toward their citizen. However the recent article by an Arabic news agency Al-Akhbar, which transltes to All News, totally changes this assumption. According to Al-Akhbar numbers of major appliances importers refuse to pay taxes in Iraq. The sources reveal that LG, Samsung and Al-Hafiz, which are major importers in Iraq, refuse paying taxes to a Shia government.

Refusing to pay tax in a country in which those companies are making multimillion dollar profits is wrong and it should not matter who runs the government!!! Clearly importers are taking advantage of the need of the Iraqi people and unrest in the country to become wealthier, yet they do not want to pay taxes because they do not agree with the faith of the government!?

I do not know about the legal and ethical codes of the mentioned companies, but such important importers are expected to respect the law of the country in which they work or move out if they do not agree with the government.

SRW is not pro or against any government regardless of their faith, however taxes are used to ease the lives of the citizens. Iraq is a country with majority Shia Muslims and most of that population are at or below poverty line. Refusing to pay taxes means LG, Samsung and Al-Hafiz are taking advantage of the government and people but not paying back to help the society. Sources report the companies are not willing to pay taxes because the government is Shia; in this case what LG, Samsung and Al-Hafiz are doing is not just illegal but also Shia rights violation!!!!

SRW invites all to hand in hand help end human rights violation. Refusing to pay taxes in any country is illegal, unethical and now human rights violation.

By Hawraa, A Human Right Advocate and Specialist on July, 16, 2013

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