Al-Azhar University’s Reputation Under Question

A Shia Muslim student is under investigation in al- Azhar University. A female student of the most important university of Egypt could face legal action and be expelled from school if proven to be Shia Muslim. Students of the university filed a complaint against a female student, accusing her of being Shia Muslim.

Recently Egypt has been showing more and more discrimination toward Shia Muslims. SRW found it unfortunate to see anti-Shi’ism growing so rapidity in Egypt that citizens believe it is a crime to practice Shia faith. Salafi and Wahhabi extremist have been encouraging anti- Shi’ism in Egypt through social media and media outlets, as the result discrimination and hatred toward Shia Muslims are increasing among public.

According to the International Bill of Human Rights and Egyptian constitution student cannot face legal action because of her faith. AL-Azhar must not ruin its reputation by engaging in human rights violation and acquiescing to Salafi ideologies.

SRW invites Al-Azhar University to keep its reputation by stopping the illegal investigation and recognizing Shia Muslims. Such a University is expected to educate people and increase their acceptance not spread extremists’ ideologies.

Extremist Favoritism in Indonesian Court

Surabaya District Court acquitted the suspect of the largest attack to Shia Muslims community. The court acquitted Rois Al-Hukama on Tuesday, April 16^th. Roise is one of the main suspects of the attack to Shia community on August 26^th, 2012 that burned down 30 homes. Tens of Shia Muslims were displaced due to the burn down. The government authorities asked the Shia to convert to Sunni so they can go back to their residents. The Indonesian government took very minor steps toward investigating the crime. Out of 500 Anti- Shia people who were involved in the attack only few were arrested and the court found irrational reasons to acquit them. Sources revealed that the attack was carried on under Roise’s order; however the Surabaya District Court concluded they did not have enough evidence to persecute Roise and released him.

Shia Rights Watch contacted the Indonesian embassy in US and asked them to investigate the crime. The embassy did not respond to the organization’s request. SRW believes Indonesian authorities are supporting human rights violations toward Shia Muslims in this country and it is a crime itself. The government must care for the rights of its entire citizen and has responsibility to protect all, regardless of their faith. Once again, SRW asks the Indonesian government to investigate the situation and deliver justice instead of spreading discrimination and hatred.

Faith Cleansing in Syria

Although western media advocates the conflict in Syria as a civil war with the goal of freedom, evidences prove Syria has become a land where religious extremist head to kill the percieved enemy. Wahhabi extremists from Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Libya and Tunisia turned to Syria with a primary mission to cleanse the area from Shia Muslim. Shia Muslims and Alawis are being killed even if they are not pro- Assad regime; they are being killed because of their faith. Anti- Shia terrorist groups found conflict in Syria a perfect cover up for their terror acts. They target Shia Muslim populated areas such as Edlib, Az-Zahra, Kafaria, fawa, Halab, Nubbul, Homs and Zayinabia and kill Shia. Arabian news outlets such as alraimedia, gulfmedia, and elaph report 2450 Shia Muslim have been killed in Syria. Shia Rights Watch, however, believe many more Shia have lost their lives in Syria since the start of conflict. Two Shia cities of Az-zahra and Nubbul are still under siege and the residents have no access to food and medical supplies. Shia areas have repeatedly faced cases of rape, siege, and slaughter and many flee from their resident to protect their families.

SRW believes the battle for freedom should be free from violence and targeted faith cleansing. Even if the origin of the conflict in Syria was for the sake of freedom, most killings do not fall under the freedom umbrella. Killing innocent civilians cannot speed the freedom process, but it is against human rights and opposes the freedom concept.

SRW calls on all groups in Syria to focus on the mission of freedom and peace instead of using the situation for their religious extremist’s goals.

Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, April 2013

The Honorable Adel A Al-Jubeir

Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia

601 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20037

Dear Adel A Al-Jubeir

On behalf of Shia Rights Watch we are writing to highlight our concerns regarding the safety and security of the Shia Muslims in Saudi Arabia since more and more discriminations and restrictions are enforced every day. Shia Muslims have a long history in Arabia yet Saudi government denies their rights as citizen. Increasing arrests and restrictions are violating Shia’s basic human rights and the government must stop them.

S.R.W was informed recently that a Shia Muslim woman accused of spreading Shi’ism via “what’s up” program was sentenced by the Qatif court. A Saudi Shia woman, Y.H. 30 years old, sent a “what’s up” message to another Saudi woman by error. The husband of the receiver saw the message and reported it to the local court. He believed the sender was pursuing her wife to convert to Shi’ism. Judge Dawood Muhammad AlDawood, sentenced the woman to eight lashes. Y.H denied the accusation and requested reconsideration. However the judge did not change his decision. Oddly, none of the lawyer and the person filing the lawsuit were present in the court sessions and the court does not reveal who actually filed the lawsuit.

Judge AlDawood is known for his discriminatory and hatred actions toward Shia Muslims. It is illegal to sentence someone without the presence of his/her self and lawyer in the court. SRW believes in a fair and just judicial system, a judge with a strong history of Anti-Shi’ism is not suitable for the presented case.

Saudi Arabian authorities have declared open dialogue between religions but in action, Shia Muslims are being oppressed even more than before.

SRW advises the Saudi government to respect its citizen rights and recognize Shia Muslims as lawful citizens in order to reach peace in the country.

Sincerely,

Mustafa Akhwand

Director of the Shia Rights Watch

Error Message, a Reason to Punish a Saudi Shia Woman

A Shia Muslim woman accused of spreading Shi’ism via “what’s App” program was sentenced by the Qatif court. A Saudi Shia woman, Y.H. 30 years old, sent a “what’s App” message to another Saudi woman by error. The husband of the receiver saw the message and reported it to the local court. He believed the sender was pursuing her wife to convert to Shi’ism. Since Saudi Arabia does not provide for freedom of religion, the Judge, Dawood Muhammad AlDawood, sentenced the sender to eight lashes. Y.H denied the accusation and requested reconsideration. However the judge did not change his decision.

Judge AlDawood is known for his discriminatory and hatred actions toward Shia Muslims. Oddly, none of the lawyers and the person filing the lawsuit were present in the court sessions and the court does not reveal who actually filed the lawsuit.

The husband of the accused woman is concerned about his wife’s safety and believes this case was a set up for his wife.

Shia Oppression in Egypt: Now More than Before

Egypt, a home country of many scholars and place birth of civilizations is threatening its brilliant history by targeting Egyptian Shia.

Home to the Fatimid Empire, one of the most important imperials that was established and lead by Shia Muslim leaders, is publicly fighting the Shia faith. Change of government in Egypt was meant to bring much needed democracy and freedom to the country. Shia Muslims, as any other Egyptian, hoped the new government would keep its promises for freedom and democracy. It would become a place where Shia could peacefully practice their faith. However, now, more than before Shia Muslims are being arrested, suppressed, and advertised as Non-Muslim.

Although the Egyptian Constitution, under Article 46, provides for freedom of belief and the practice of religious rights, Shia Muslims are a minority group that is not allowed to practice their faith in public or in private Islamic centers. Salafi’s and government backed clerics speared hate messages among the public to the point where most Egyptians think Shia are not even Muslim even though they believe in the same God, Quran, practice Hadj, daily prayers and Ramadhan fasting. Every day, more and more pictures, webinars and ads are posted on the internet in display of the anti-Shi’ism is growth in Egypt.

Sheikh Muhmmad Hassa, a well-known Salafi cleric, states in his TV interview that Hussainyas, or Shia Islamic Centers are not welcome in Egypt. He insists Egypt should be cleansed from Shia. Salafi clerics clearly and openly forbid Shia practices in this country.

As the result of anti- Shia movements in Egypt, many Shia- Muslims were arrested and detained for practicing their faith. Muhammad Asfour and Seyed Muhammd are among those arrested in an Ashura commemorations last year. The judge told Muhammad Asfour he had two options: to go to jail or to change his faith. In another incident, a Shia man was arrested for teaching Shia faith. His wife was divorced by court and forced to marry another man. The Egyptian government is violating many human rights articles by forcing Shia to change faith, interfering with Shia private lives, arresting and detaining them and also spreading hate messages in media and public.

Shia rights Watch is concerned about Shia rights violations in Egypt, especially since the beginning of the Mursi government. SRW insists Shia Muslims, just like any other citizen, are entitled freedom of religion and thought. No government, religion or organization can take away any other groups’ rights. Human rights have been reported poor in Egypt and Shia rights violations are adding to the problem. SRW believes the Egyptian government must protect and defend Shia Muslims’ rights. The foundation of the new government should not be based on discrimination and hate, but on freedom and respect.

Lebanese Shia Struggling

Increasing bomb explosions threatening the Shia Muslims in Lebanon as four people were killed and 103 injured in two car explosions in Beirut today.

Shia populated area of Beirut has been attacked and all who lost their lives are civilians. According to some sources the bombings are to threaten stability of Iranian backed Hezbollah. In November 2013 explosions nearly 2 dozen people were killed.

SRW believes any bombing is against human rights. Even if the goal and target of explosions is to threaten Hezbollah, civilians are paying the price and losing their lives.

SRW condemns any violence and believes even fight with terror should be carried with nonviolence strategies.

Targeting Shia Muslims and Their Historical Sites

Targeted Shia Muslim killings have increased since the beginning of the conflict in Syria. Killing Shia Muslims is not the only strategy that anti-Shia groups are using to accomplish their Shia cleansing mission. Their next move is destroying and demolishing Shia related historic sites, mosques, and shrines. Syria is a country with extensive history and contains many valuable historic sites. Many Shia mosques and Islamic centers have been burned or destroyed since last year in Syria by Wahahbi and Salafi groups. The shrine of Seyed Sokainah is an important Shia site that was under construction. Many times terrorist groups aimed to attack the shrine but could not fully accomplish their mission. However, this site is now partially destroyed.

SRW believes attacking the history of a religion or faith is, in fact, attacking the faith itself. All groups in Syria must reach peace and development in Syria instead of targeting minorities and their historical religious heritage.

More Restrictions Toward Shia Muslims

Shia Rights Watch condemns the detention of a group of Shia clerics by the Saudi Authorities. Shia Rights Watch condemns the escalation of the Saudi restrictions over the country’s Shia clerics, especially the recent detention of a number of Shia clerics, and their placement under house arrest. The organization was informed by reliable sources that a group of Shia religious figures were arrested at a security point in Riyadh. The clerics were told they are being taken to have an interview with the Minister of Interior. They were held in a hotel for several days under house arrest. The organization believes that targeting Shia and suppressing them is openly and blatantly and torturing them with out any moral and legal justificationin an attempt to discredit them. SRW warns the consequences of those behaviors by the authoritarian regime, calling for international human rights organizations to address them firmly and condemn these dictatorship practices toward the Shia Muslims. The organization calls on Saudi government to review those practices, and work hard to repair the existing system before it gets worse.

Anti-Shia terrorist targets 4 Shia Muslims Mosque

At least 23 people killed and dozens wounded on Friday March 29^th , in series of bomb attacks to Shia mosques in Iraq.

Four Shia mosques were attacked by car bombs after Friday prayers, killing 19 Shia Muslims and wounding 72.

In one explosion seven people died in Baghdad’s western Jihad neighborhood as a parked car exploded.

A bombing in eastern Qahira neighbourhood resulted in death of four people and nearly 20 were wounded.

In the third bombing, three people died and 15 were wounded near the eastern Zafaraniyah district while yet another car bomb killed five people and wounded 14 in the northeastern Binook neighbourhood.

And in the northern city of Kirkuk, 290 kilometres north of Baghdad, a suicide bomber drove his explosive-laden car into a group of worshippers as they were leaving a mosque after Friday prayers, killing three people and wounding up to 70, according to authorities.

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Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, April 2013