The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) recently released its annual religious freedom report. The report documents concerns about religious freedom in Countries of Particular Concern and Special Watch List Countries. Among the endangered religious minorities were Shia Muslims, who exist across the world as residents and citizens. …
Read More »Incidents of Anti-Shiism, February 2020
Anti-Shiism Monthly February February stood witness to 151 incidents of anti-Shiism. Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Pakistan, Nigeria, Egypt, and Afghanistan were all nations in which violence against Shia Muslims occurred. Bahrain The treatment of Shia Muslims in Bahrain is worrisome. Shia Muslims in the country, while they make up the …
Read More »Bi-Annual Report 2019
Introduction Anti-Shiism remains prominent and thriving in the first half of 2019. Anti-Shiism, or the deliberate targeting of Shia Muslims with aims of suppressing representation and expression, can be found in a variety of techniques and practices such as executions, abductions, denial of basic rights (right to property, to vote, …
Read More »Muharram Advisory 2018
Muharram Advisory Dear Fellow Shia Muslims, As a human rights NGO dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of Shia Muslims globally, we are writing to bring to your attention the veneration and importance of practicing safety in your community in the month of Muharram. Muharram, the first month of …
Read More »Incidents of Anti-Shiism in February, 2018
February proved itself to be a much less violent month than January, with sources reporting 343 incidents of Anti-Shiism, half of last month’s 673. However, the crackdowns on freedom of expression and incessant discrimination against the Shia population led to 52 deaths, 226 injuries, 71 arrests and harsh sentencing, and …
Read More »World Day of Social Justice
Incidents of Anti-Shiism in September , 2017
September Monthly Analysis Shia Muslims all over the world began their commemoration of the holy month of Muharram late September. Shia religious expression is augmented in the beginning in early Moharram thus making them susceptible to targeting by anti-Shia groups. SRW Muharram safety advisory and more information on Shia and …
Read More »Muharram 2017 Advisory
Muharram Advisory Dear Fellow Shia Muslims, As a human rights NGO dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of Shia Muslims globally, we are writing to bring to your attention the veneration and importance of practicing safety in your community in the month of Muharram. Since Muharram is the time Shia …
Read More »EGYPT, For the People or Against the People?
While the history of Shia Muslims in Egypt is long and extensive, anti-Shiism is prevalent in this nation. Once called the forgotten minority, Shia Muslims in Egypt are lost amidst country’s political unrest. Shia numbers are always undermined in state-issued reports in aims of suppressing the population. Shia individuals that …
Read More »Letter to Embassies for Muharram 2016: “Make Brotherhood and Non-Violence your New Year’s Resolutions”
As Muharram is approaching, Shia Rights Watch writes to embassies to ask for protection of Shia Muslims during their Ashura gatherings. Muharram is the first month of Islamic year when many celebrate New Year and many others postpone their celebrations in order to commemorate the death of a peacekeeper, Husain. …
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