Death of a Shia Muslim Lawyer and his Two Sons

A Shia lawyer and his two young boys were killed in Karachi Pakistan today, May 29^th. Kowthar Thagalain and his two sons, Muhammad, 12 years old, and Aun Abbas ,15 years old, were killed as anti-Shia groups continue targeting Shia professionals in Pakistan. The two boys, and their father were killed as Thagalain was picking them up from school in Mauripur road, Karachi.

Shia Rights Watch condemns the killings and asks Pakistani government to investigate the killings and stop Shia rights violations.

Shia rights violations are increasing in Pakistan and the government has not done enough to prevent and stop it. About 100 people were killed in Pakistan in April.

More than 12 Blasts in One Day

Number of deaths increase in Iraq as Anti- Shia terrorists target Shia Muslims communities in this country. Monday May 27^th was the deadliest single day since July 23^{rd ,}2012 when 115 people were killed. On May 27^th more than 12 systematic bomb explosions happened in Sadr City, Sabi al-Boor , Shaab area , Bayaa neighborhood, Jisr Diyala area , Madain , Al-Maalif, Kazimiyah district and downtown Baghdad.

Authorities believe the bombings were well coordinated wave that tore through mostly Shia Muslim areas. So far as many as 450 people were killed in May. Terrorists target religious groups in order to push civil dispute in newly formed Iraq.

Many Iraqi civilians lost their lives in bombings during last couple months. Authorities reported 700 deaths in April 2013 alone. Many of the bombings took place in Mosques or busy marketplaces.

SRW urges Iraqi government to increase security forces and investigate the ongoing human rights violations in Iraq. Also, this organization condemns the violent and invites all groups to have tolerance and respect towards each other. Targeting civilians in order to pressure government is a crime and no group should show opposition by killing civilians.

Shia Rights Violator Enters Bahrain

SRW is concerned for possible increase of Shia rights violations as one of the most human rights violators enters Bahrain and as Bahraini Shia Muslims express their fear upon entrance of Sheikh Adnan Al Aroor in their country. Al Aroor is a Syrian “cleric” living in Saud Arabia and he is known for his anti-Shia lectures. He has repeatedly called Shia Muslims infidels and has been urging and promoting Shia rights violations especially in Syria.

Al Aroor entered Bahrain on May 28, 2013 with intention to collect donation from Bahraini government for rebels in Syria. Since Al Aroor has long history in fighting and degrading Shia Muslims, Bahraini majority Shia are concerned that his “behind the curtain” friendship with Al Khalifa will result in more Shia rights violations in this country.

Al Aroor asked civilians to “burn out city and carry knives and weapons” he went in details and taught his audience to put on fire using gasoline and burn Halab as well as Damascus. He has been a figure who motivates killings, war crimes and human rights violations in Syria. Video

SRW urges Al Aroor and other so called Wahhabi “clerics” to respect human lives and rights and stop Shia rights violations immediately. Al Aroor should not mix his apposition to Syrian government with religious favoritism. He has no right to promote killings due to political disputes.

By: Hawraa, A Shia Rights Activist and Specialist _ May 28th, 2013

Civilians Paying the Price of Political Disputes

Some human rights activists affirm death of as many as 95000 Alawi in Syria during past two years. Alawis belong to the Shia sec of Islam. Because the Syrian government is also known to be Alawi, all Alawis are under pressure from oppositions in this country.

Foreign terrorist groups, mainly from Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Libya, Lebanon and Chechen, target and murder anyone they can identify as Shia Muslim or Alawi. Many of those killed are civilians who do not have any political ties with the government or any other group.

It is against International Bill of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law to target civilians. The Syrian government might be Alawi but that does not give permission to opposition groups to target all Alawis and kill them.

Killing as many as 95000 Alawi is certainly a war crime. The fight for democracy and freedom should not involve murdering civilians or targeting specific religious group.

SRW condemns the violent in Syria and urges all groups to respect humanitarian laws and do not engage in any human right violations or war crime.

We wish Syrians find peace soon and rebuild their country with democracy and tolerance.

Media and the Value of Human Lives

These past couple days have been very unpleasant for many citizens of the world. However if we ask people to highlight the most important headlines of the week everyone would say “Oklahoma tornado”. The damage that tornado caused is in fact heartbreaking, but is this the only and most important headline? What about series of bombings in Iraq? Do people even know that in the same day the tornado killed 51, about 90 people were killed in seven different bombings in Iraq?

Probably not. And it is not their fault. It is media outlet’s fault. They are supposed to keep people updated about facts and stories of the world, however they prefer to be selective and tell us what they think is important, not what we should know.

Our question is, do humans live have different values based on their citizenship? If yes, then it is a clear discrimination toward certain groups of people.

If not, then why loss of lives of people in third world countries is not worth sharing by media?

One of the human rights fundamental is equality, on May 20, 2013, many people lost their lives in Oklahoma tornado and their stories made headlines so other people would show their sympathy toward the victims.

Lives of all humans are valuable. If Mother Nature takes lives away there is not much humans can do. However, when lives are taken away by some extremists there is much that can and should be done.

SRW condemn the selective attitude of the media. At SRW we believe media must practice the code of ethics. They also must know human lives are valuable regardless of their citizenship, after all we are all citizen on one world.

By: Hawraa, A Shia Rights Activist and Specialist _ May 21st, 2013

Assassination in Iraq

Targeted Shia killing trend reaches Iraq. Another Shia Muslim cleric was killed in Iraq. A well-known Shia Cleric, Asaad Nasser, was assassinated in Abe al-Kaseeb area south of Basra. This is a second time an influential leader is being killed after assassination of Ali Hussein Ali on May 13.

Nasser was on his way to the mosque for dawn prayers in the Auasan mosque when he was shot and killed by an unknown man.

No terrorist groups have claimed the assassination yet.

Targeted Shia killings started in Pakistan and are spreading to other countries as anti-Shi’ism grows in Middle East.

SRW condemns the assassination and asks all opposition groups to stop Shia rights violations and practice their rights without violating the basic human rights of others.

More 86 Shia Muslim killed and more that 200 wounded

Series of car bombings in Iraq killed more than 86 Shia Muslim and wounded more than 200 Shia across Iraq on Monday May 20, 2013.

According to the Iraqi authorities the number of Shia Muslims killed in the month of May increased to 200 Shia. Until now no one claimed responsibility for the bombing. Unfortunately Iraqi government until now could not secure the country and stop the violence toward innocent people especially in the cities with high number of pilgrims such and Kathimiya.

According to the witnesses people were targeted in the crowd area like restaurant, car parking and bazaar. “Around 9 people were in restaurant when I heard the explosion in fort of the store” one witness said to SRW reporter in Basra.

“Nothing has changed before we were getting arrested and abused by Sadam regime and now we are getting killed by the same people and same mentality” elder women said while she was crying for a loss of her son.

Shia Rights Watch condemn the targeting the Shia and urge the Iraqi Government to identify the terrorist who taking the life of the Shia Muslims in the country.

Is Saudi Arabia Censoring History?

Anti-Shi’ism has different forms in Saudi Arabia. This government has destroyed Shia mosques, detained Shia Muslims, closed private schools and now is trying to prevent Shia from remembrance of significant religious events in their long history.

The most recent example of this, is the government covering part of the Ka’ba that is called Rukn Yamani. Shia believe that the right corner of the Ka’ba was opened in a mysterious way more than 1400 years ago. The pregnant mother of the first Shia Muslims’ Imam, Imam Ali, entered the Ka’ba and delivered her baby inside it. Imam Ali is the only baby who was born inside the Ka’ba. This mysterious opening of the house of Ka’ba is a very well-known miracle amongst all Muslims. Every year millions of Muslims, Shia and Sunni, visit this site and remember the miracle.

As the annual birthday of Imam Ali is approaching on May 24^th, the Anti-Shia government of Saudi Arabia is showing its aim to censor any history related to the Shia Imams.

RW invites the Wahabbi government of Saudi Arabia to respect all humans and protect historical sites as they belong to all humanity.

Quran Classes Closed in Saudi Arabia

As discrimination against Shia Muslims grow in Saudi Arabia, authorities closed Quran classes. Number of kindergarten and schools were closed on May 17^thin Shia populatedarea of eastern province of Qatif. The government of Saudi Arabia has gradually closed, demolished and destroyed Shia Muslim historical sites and educational settings. The authorities raided number of private schools in Qatif and detained school staff and questioned them for hours.

The schools were private Quran classes and authorities have no right to interfere with their mission. SRW believes this act of the authorities is against citizens’ right to education and freedom of thoughts. Detentions of schools staff is also considered arbitrary arrest and is against the International Bill of Human Rights.

SRW urges the Saudi Arabia government to reopen the schools immediately and stop pressuring Shia Muslims. All citizens have the right to education and this act of the government is clear violations to many human rights articles.

Series of Attacks Across Iraq

A series of bomb explosions in Iraq caused more deaths amongst Shia Muslims of the Baghdad.

One bomb went off near a crowded bus stop in Sadr City neighborhood, killing nine people, including children and wounded 16.

Another bomb aimed to target polices patrol missed the target and killed two civilians and wounded 10 in the capital’s northern Chikok district.

The third bomb exploded in Baghdad’s eastern suburb of Kamaliya killing three civilians and wounding 14 others.

Thursday night, shortly after sunset, a suicide bomber set off his explosive belt near a Shia mosque in the city of Kirkuk after being prevented by guards from entering. Four people were killed and 42 were wounded in the attack that was apparently targeting Shia Muslims inside the mosque.

Violent acts aimed to increase sectarian dispute is increasing in Iraq. SRW believes Iraqi government should investigate the bombings and make sure all groups, majority Shia Muslims and minority Sunni, live in peace. The government should ensure that terrorists do not find opportunities to turn sectarian violence into bloodshed.

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