http://www.umaamerica.net
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
In the Name of Allah the Beneficent, the Merciful
Photo: Shrine of Sayyeda Zainab after the attack AP photo
The Universal Muslim Association of America condemns the recent attack on the shrine of Sayyeda Zainab (as). Last Friday, due to nearby fighting mortar shells struck the shrine, killing its custodian and wounding several others. It is currently unclear how much damage was sustained, however reports indicate that the shrine is still able to accommodate visitors. The attack was condemned around the world, and was marked by national protests throughout Pakistan. Leaders from Iraq and Iran also condemned the attack as deplorable.
“The spirit of Zaynab [a.s.] will live forever. Her courage, forbearance, and submission will continue to inspire those who hear her story for all time to come.” says author M.H. Bilgrami in the book “The Victory of Truth: The Life of Zaynab bint 'Ali”
UMAA condemns all acts of terrorism as deplorable crimes against humanity. No legitimate goal can ever be accomplished through any act of terrorism. Islam is a religion that advocates peace and tranquility amongst all peoples, and for any innocent individual to be harmed, is completely against the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
Islam, as taught by the Holy Prophet and his family, strongly advocates peaceful dialogue and discussion and rejects violence against innocents.
UMAA ADVOCACY
UMAA Advocacy Director Rahat Husain wrote about policy perspectives in light of the attack on the holy shrine in a Washington Times Communities column that can be viewed by clicking here:
Syrian rebels attack Shiite shrines and threaten Christian monasteries
http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/american-muslim/2013/jul/22/syrian-rebels-attack-shiite-shrines-and-threaten-c/
Monday, July 22, 2013 - The American Muslim by Rahat Husain
WASHINGTON, July 22, 2013 — Mortar shells struck the shrine of Sayyeda Zainab, the granddaughter of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad, in Syria on Friday. The attack ignited tensions throughout the Middle East and renewed calls from experts to reexamine the nature of rebel forces in Syria.
During the attack, the caretaker of the holy site, Anas Roumani, was killed and several others were wounded. The site is revered by Shiite Muslims and is a top destination for adherents to the faith.
The incident is merely the latest in a series of attacks on ancient gravesites, including a shocking incident during which Syrian rebels attacked the grave of the revered Islamic leader Hujr ibn Ady. The rebels exhumed and stole the body for unknown reasons.
While no faction of the Syrian rebels has claimed responsibility for the attack on the shrine of Sayyeda Zainab, previously the Nusra Front claimed responsibility, by posting pictures of the attack on the tomb of Hujr ibn Ady and the subsequent removal of the body on its Facebook account. In a post on the Nusra Front Facebook page, the group then vowed to carry out a similar attack on the shrine of Sayyeda Zainab.
Also under constant threat by rebel forces is a Christian monastery, called the Convent of Our Lady of Sednaya. The monastery is a nearly fifteen hundred year old structure believed to have been constructed by an early Byzantine emperor who reported to have received visions of the Virgin Mary. Residents living near the monastery fear attacks on other nearby Christian churches and monasteries within the region.
The attack on the shrine of Sayyeda Zainab drew worldwide condemnation. The Pakistani government summoned the Syrian envoy to express its strong concerns over the attack. In response to nationwide protests, the government also released a statement condemning the attack: “The trend of desecration of the holy sites has hurt the sentiments of Muslims in Pakistan as indeed the world over. Such violations, which also fan sectarian strife, are most reprehensible.” Notable political parties in Pakistan also condemned the attack, including both MWM and MQM.
England blacklisted the Nusra Front as a terrorist organization on Friday, following in the footsteps of the United Nations this past May, and the United States in December 2012.
Despite the Nusra Front’s public commitment to serving Al Qaeda, the National Coalition for Opposition Forces and the Syrian Revolution has called for the U.S. to withdraw its designation, drawing further concerns about the nature of the rebel groups.
Congressman Peter King (R-NY), Chairman of the House Homeland Security Sub-Committee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence stated, “My concern with the rebels now is that al-Nusra and the al-Qaeda affiliates, the al-Qaeda supporters, are right now in a very strong position within the rebel movement.
“There are foreign fighters coming from Europe through Turkey and you have jihadists from all over the region coming out to fight. And whether or not they are in the majority, they are the best trained and the best organized.”
Congressman King’s concerns were supported by the discovery of U.S. Passports amongst the Nusra Front fighters, as reported on the Kurdish Democratic Union Party’s (PYD) official Twitter account. According to PYD, the passports showed nationals from various countries entering Syria, and all displayed Turkish visa stamps.
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has been monitoring the fighting in Syria, issuing a call for “United Nations Security Council to refer the Syria situation to the International Criminal Court (ICC) to ensure accountability for all war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
HRW’s statement was released in response to a particularly disturbing incident where a Syrian rebel fighter killed and mutilated a Syrian pro-government fighter by removing and eating the fighter’s heart and liver. The rebel fighter then posted a video of the incident on the internet.
Nadim Houry, Middle East deputy director at Human Rights Watch, issued a stern rebuke of the rebels: “It is not enough for Syria’s opposition to condemn such behavior or blame it on violence by the government. The opposition forces need to act firmly to stop such abuses.”
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