Six Shia Kidnapped Truckers Found martyred Near Parachinar

Police found the bodies of six Shia truck drivers who were kidnapped a few days ago in a restive northwestern town, officials said.

 the Shia truck drivers were shot dead and their bodies were found in Thal district, local police official Abdul Rehman said on Saturday.

“A letter found in the pocket of one dead truck driver said that if anyone supplied goods to the Parachinar Shia community, he will be treated like this,” Rehman said.

A police spokesman confirmed the incident, but did not identify the suspects, saying an investigation was in progress.

Some local sources say that more than 2,000 Shia community members have been martyred in the region since 2007. Since the 1980s, thousands of Shia Muslims have been killed in violence-related incidents in Pakistan by extremist groups. Kurram agency, a federally administered tribal area (FATA), has a population of more than 0.8 million Shia Muslims who suffered from brutalities of Taliban terrorists much more than any other religious or ethnic community.

Shia Muslims of Kurram Agency (Parachinar) had to travel to Pakistani territories via Afghanistan because the government and army of Pakistan lacked their writ in the areas leading to Parachinar.

Gilgit:- Mohammad Akbar embraced Shahdat

The unknown terrorists were killed the Shia magistriate Mohammad Akbar at old Basin Gilgit on Monday.

 Unknown miscreats opened the fire on Mohammad Akbar Car, when he was was going to Gilgit from his native area of Basin, along with his brothers.

The people of area immediately shifted the injured Mohammad Akbar and his brothers to the local hospital, but due to the serious injuries Mohammad Akbar, a magistrate of Gilgit, embraced Shahdat.

The strong will of momineen who have braved un-abated killings of fellow momineen in different parts of Pakistan to-date, strongly hints that the ‘abtar’ ideology of yazidiat co-fathered by Imperialism,Zionism and modern Sufyaniyat is frustrated as is evident in their frenzied and mindless actions .

The Nur of the exalted Martyrs will radiate forever, illuminating the lives of Millat-e-Jaffaria Pakistan and certainly their pure blood has its own ways to leave lasting impacts .Inshallah it will pull of the masks from the faces of yazidi terrorists,their local mentors and International Collaborators.

Twin car bombs martyrs 12 in Iraqi holy city of Karbala

Twin blasts caused by car bombs rocked Iraq’s holy city of Karbala on Monday, martyred at a dozen people, medical officials and witnesses said.

The explosions occurred around 15 minutes apart in the centre of the city, 110 kilometres (70 miles) south of Baghdad, the witnesses said.

At least 12 people were martyred in the twin blasts and a further 55 wounded, according to a spokesman for Karbala hospital.

According to the Shiite News, The first blast came when a parked vehicle exploded in front of a restaurant frequented by pilgrims to the Holy city which hosts the holy Shrine of Imam Hussain (AS) at around 12:45 pm (0945 GMT). Around 15 minutes later, a second car bomb went off around 50 metres (yards) away, in the Al-Belladiyat neighbourhood of central Karbala.

The restaurant is about 200 metres (yards) from Karbala’s provincial government offices and its regional military command centre.

The number of casualties could rise as emergency teams rushed the dead and wounded to hospitals, medics said.

Security forces have cordoned off the area, an AFP correspondent said.

Prophet Story: Words to Live

Anes Ibn Malik (One of the  Prophet’s Companions) reports that a Bedouin came to the Messenger of Allah and greeted him in the Mosque. The Messenger of Allah asked him where he came from.The Bedouin said: “I come from far seeking answers to some questions. “Our master told him to ask his questions.

•     Q:  I wish to be an intelligent man, what should I do?

      A:   Fear Allah

•      Q: I wish to be a loyal servant to Allah and do what He wants me to do:

        A: Read the Qur”an.

•      Q:  I wish to be enlightened and have peace of heart

        A: Remember Death.

•      Q:  I wish to be protected against enemies

       A: Trust in Allah.

•      Q:  I wish to follow the Straight Path

        A:  Do good to others for Allah”s sake.

•      Q: What should I do so that Allah does not abase me?

        A:  Do not respond to the desires of your flesh.

•      Q:  I wish to have a long life

        A:  Praise and thank Allah.

•       Q: I wish for prosperity

        A: Be in a state of ablution at all times.

•       Q: How can I save myself from the hellfire?

       A: Protect your eyes and your tongue and your hands and what is below your waistline against Evil.

•      Q: How can I cleanse myself from my sins?

        A:  Shed tears for what you have done and repent by undoing what you have done  wrong.

•       Q: I wish to be a respectable person.

        A:  Then, don’t ask for anything from anybody.

•      Q: I wish to be honorable.

       A: Then don’t divulge the wrong doings of anybody.

•      Q:  What should I do to protect myself from the tortures of the grave?

       A:  Recite the Surah Mulk.

•      Q: What should one do to be rich?

        A: Read the Surah Muzammil.

•       Q: How should I calm my fear of the day of last judgment?

        A: Remember Allah before you eat anything and before you sleep.

•       Q: What should I do to feel the presence of Allah when I make my prayers?

        A: Give the utmost care in taking your ablutions and in being clean and pure.

Muslim scholars seek remedies against violent extremism

A two-day conference convening in Mardin over the weekend tackled the problem of violent extremism perpetrated by Muslims through the re-evaluation of a centuries-old Islamic legal verdict by contemporary Muslim scholars.

Influential names such as Bosnian Grand Mufti Dr. Mustafa Ceric and renowned sheikhs Abdallah Ibn Bayyah and Habib Ali al-Jifri were among the speakers at the academically minded “Mardin: The Abode of Peace” summit held at Artuklu University. The subject at hand was a well-known legal verdict, or fatwa, issued by famous Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Ibn Taymiyyah in the 14th century concerning Mardin, and it was expected that upon the end of the summit, after Today’s Zaman went to press, the “Joint Mardin Declaration” would be signed by the participating scholars to denounce the misinterpretation and abuse of such fatwas.

The fatwa has been used by some extremist groups to justify acts of violence, rebellion and discord. Ibn Taymiyyah’s “Mardin fatwa” addresses the question of whether the city — in his time ruled by the Mongols, who were nominally Muslims but committed atrocities that some claimed cast doubt over their status as such — fell into the classical categorization of either dar al-harb (abode of war) or dar al-Islam (abode of Islam). The answer to this question was of critical importance when it came to the issue of jihad as warfare, including the determination of legitimate vs. prohibited targets.

During the conference’s plenary session on Saturday, Mardin Mufti Mehmet Kızılkaya emphasized that no matter how great, no Islamic scholars were higher in standing than the Prophet Muhammad. “The Prophet brought peace,” he said, noting the good relations maintained amongst Muslims, Christians and Jews during that era. The works of Ibn Taymiyyah are in part a product of his experience, Kızılkaya said, which included the witnessing of Mongol atrocities, sieges and long periods of imprisonment. “Ibn Taymiyyah was exceedingly clever, a genius, but he lived in tempestuous times,” he said. “We now live in a globalized world.”

In sessions later Saturday and on Sunday, however, scholars moved the discussion away from the chaotic context in which the Mardin fatwa and others like it were produced, instead focusing on the misuse of such texts not due to contextual incongruence but rather interpretations and readings that are just plain wrong. Experts on Ibn Taymiyyah’s work stressed that they must be read both properly and together with legal opinions issued by his contemporaries. They also stressed that the fatwa did not designate Mardin as an abode of war legitimizing armed conflict, rather asserting that non-Muslims needed to be taken care of as opposed to attacked.

Speaking to Today’s Zaman in an interview, conference speaker Dr. Ahmet Özel of the İstanbul-based Islamic Research Center (İSAM) said that the conference and declaration would probably speak more to the Western public than the Muslim world.

Commenting on the choice of Mardin and Turkey as the venue for the conference, he said that outside of the obvious connection between the fatwa of Ibn Taymiyyah and the city of Mardin,  “since the advent of Islam here, Mardin has been a place where members of different religions, cultures, ethnic groups have lived together. In Mardin today, Turks, Arabs and Kurds live together; there are Muslims, Syriacs and Yezidis here. Mardin is a symbolic city of peace.” He added that Turkey was in the spotlight both throughout the Arab world and in the West due to its recent roles in regional politics, making it a prime venue to release such a message.

The conference was sponsored by the Global Center for Renewal and Guidance (GCRG) and Canopus Consulting, independent Muslim NGOs that focus on education and research.

HRW Urges Libya to Reveal Fate of Imam Moussa Sadr

Human Rights Watch has urged Libyan authorities to reveal during an Arab summit it is hosting this weekend the fate of missing people, including prominent Lebanese Shiite cleric Imam Moussa Sadr.

The New-York based rights watchdog said Libya should also provide information about two of its own citizens who went missing 20 years ago after they were returned home from Egypt where authorities had arrested them.

“One of the themes of this Arab League summit is reconciliation,” HRW Middle East and North Africa director Sarah Leah Whitson said in a statement released late Friday. “Libya should use this opportunity to inform the families who have been suffering the pain of not knowing where their loved ones are,” she added.

Lebanese President Michel Sleiman is boycotting the summit in Sirte amid a lingering dispute with Libya over the disappearance of Imam Sadr, and has sent his country’s ambassador to Cairo instead.

HRW acknowledged that Libyan authorities began in 2008 “for the first time” to address the case of hundreds of people who disappeared “in connection with a massacre at the Abu Salim prison in 1996.”

“Over the past year, the authorities have informed at least 800 families that their loved ones perished at the prison in 1996, offering compensation in exchange for relinquishing any legal claims. But many other Libyan disappearance cases remain unresolved,” it said. It specifically mentioned Libyan opposition figures Jaballa Hamed Matar and Izzat al-Megaryef, who it said were arrested by Egyptian security forces in Cairo in March 1990. “Their families later learned that Egyptian security forces had handed them over the next day to Libyan security officials, who detained them in Abu Salim prison,” HRW said, adding they have not been heard of since.

“Disappearances are a continuous crime for which the Libyan government is responsible,” Whitson said. She urged Libya to “tell the truth about what happened to these victims” and to “provide reparation and prosecute those responsible for their disappearance.

Police arrest top terrorist of Laskar-e-Jhangvi involved in Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) bomb blast

The police have arrested the terrorist belonging to the banned outfit, police sources confirmed on Monday.

SSP CID Omer Shahid informed that the CID Police have arrested the banned outfit Lashkar-e-Jhangvi terrorist Ziauddin Mehsud alias Khan Mohammad from Sharafi Goth area of Karachi. The police have also recovered 50 kg explosive material and three T.T Pistols.

According to the Shiite News Correspondent, SSP said that the arrested terrorist belongs to Qari Abid group of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.

The CID police stated that the arrested terrorist had also involvement in the Nistar Park terrorist attack in 2006 and the assasination of Shia leader Maulana Hassan Turabi. The arrested terrorist was also involved in the kidnapping of the trader Shaukat Afridi providing petrol to NATO forces in 2008. The name of the arrested terrorist is also in the Red Book which consists of the names of most wanted people.

Six Shia Kidnapped Truckers Found Dead Near Parachinar

 the drivers were shot dead and their bodies were found in Thal district, local police official Abdul Rehman said.

“A letter found in the pocket of one dead truck driver said that if anyone supplied goods to the Parachinar Shia community, he will be treated like this,” Rehman said.

Parachinar, the main town of Kurram tribal district, is a sectarian flashpoint where activists from the rival Shia and Sunni Muslim sects have clashed in the past.

A police spokesman confirmed the incident, but did not identify the suspects, saying an investigation was in progress.

Shias account for about 20 per cent of Pakistan’s Sunni-dominated population. The two communities usually coexist peacefully, but more than 4,000 people have died in outbreaks of sectarian violence since the late 1980s.

Attacks by extremists, meanwhile, have killed more than 3,100 people since July 2007. Most attacks are blamed on the Pakistani Taliban.

Separately, militants early Saturday blew up a boys’ middle school in Alingarh village of Mohmand tribal district, where troops are hunting Taliban militants, local administration chief Amjad Ali Khan said.

“The school was destroyed in the bombing, but there were no casualties,” Khan told agencies.

Taliban militants have destroyed 36 government school buildings in Mohmand since 2009.

Demise Anniversary of Hadhrat Ma'suma

A question arises as to why she was given this title of “Masuma”? Was she infallible in the same sense as the 14 Ma’sumeen? Several scholars believe that some of the noble personalities from the household of the Holy Prophet (SAW), such as Lady Zainab (A), Hazrat Abbas (A) and Lady Fatima Masuma (AS), due to their proximity to the Ma’sumeen have acquired a high state of purity.

Infallibility has two meanings: infallible from error and infallible from sin. When speaking of the infallibility of the Ma’sumeen (A), both these meanings apply, but when speaking about special and noble people as those mentioned above, the latter meaning of infallible from sin is meant.

The title, Karima Ahl al-Bayt, means “Noble one of the family of the Prophet (SAW).” This title was given to her by either Imam al-Baqir (A) or Imam Sadiq (A) in a dream seen by Ayatollah Sayyid Mahmud Mar’ashi Najafi, the author of Mashjirat al-Alawiyin.

This noble man was very interested in finding the exact location of the burial place of Lady Fatima Zahra (A), and for this purpose he spend 40 days supplicating, so that he could be privileged with this information.

On the 40th night, after the completion of his prayers, he went to sleep and in his dream he saw himself present at the grave of either Imam al-Baqir (A) or Imam Sadiq (A) in Jannat al-Baqi in Madina. Imam (A) said to him: “I advise you to go to the Karimat (Noble one) of the Ahl al-Bayt.”

He thought that by Karimat Ahl al-Bayt, Imam (A) was referring to Lady Fatima Zahra (A), and so he answered, “Yes, I have been supplicating for this very purpose, so that I may know the exact place of the holy grave of this noble personality, enabling me to perform her pilgrimage.”

The Imam (A) said, “I meant the holy grave of Lady Fatima Masuma (AS) in Qum.” Then the Imam (A) added, “It is Allah’s desire that the location of the holy grave of Lady Fatima Zahra (A) be hidden from everyone.”

Therefore, the Imam (A) has placed the grave of Lady Fatima Masuma (AS) in place of the grave of Lady Fatima Zahra (A), and so all the honour and grandeur that would have been accorded to the grave of Lady Fatima Zahra (AS) should be given to the grave of Lady Fatima Masuma (A).

On waking from his dream, the late Mar’ashi made an intention to travel to Qum with his family, in order to perform the pilgrimage of Lady Fatima Masuma (A) and he carried out this intention without delay.

The late Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Shahab al-Din Mar’ashi Najafi, the son of the late Mar’ashi mentioned in the dream above, migrated to Iran in the year 1342 AH. He often cited that one of the reasons for his emigration to Iran was the dream of his father.

The late Grand Ayatollah entered the seminary in Qum in the year 1343 AH and here, he lived in the proximity of Lady Fatima Masuma (AS) until his death in 1411 AH. For over sixty years, he was the first person to perform the pilgrimage of this noble lady. He would wait outside her shrine for the doors to be opened.

In 200 AH, Ma’moon (the 7th Abbasid Caliph), demanded Imam Ali Al-Ridha’s (A) presence in Khurasan. The departure of Lady Fatima’s brother increased sorrow in her heart for it was not long ago that she was separated from her father, the 7th Imam (A).

After a difficult year of separation from her beloved brother, Lady Fatima Masuma (A) decided to go to Khurasan. She began the journey from Madina in the year 201 AH, accompanied by a caravan made up of some members of her household and friends of the Imam (A).

According to one narration, the Imam (A) wrote a letter to his sister, which he sent to her with one his servants, instructing him to hasten to Madina without stopping anywhere on the way.

After receiving the letter from her brother, Lady Fatima Masuma (A), immediately prepared herself for the journey to Khurasan via Saweh.

According to another tradition, the Imam (A) wrote a letter to all his family members, inviting them to come to Khurasan.

It is narrated that after the arrival of this letter, a group consisting of the sons and other family members of the Imam (A), and other Shi’a, numbering over 12000 people made their way to Khurasan.

We find in narration that two separate caravans headed towards Khurasan. One of these groups was the one that Lady Fatima Masuma (A) was in. It was comprised of 23 people, under the leadership of Harun ibn Musa ibn Ja’far.

The other group travelling to Khurasan consisted of about 12,000 people under the leadership of Ahmad ibn Musa ibn Ja’far.

These caravans reached a town called Saweh on their way. Here they were attacked by enemies of the family of the Holy Prophet (SAW).

Many were martyred, including Harun, and many others were wounded or taken as prisoners. A few managed to flee. A woman from the enemies put poison in the food of Lady Fatima Masuma (A) and she became ill.

When Lady Fatima Masuma (A) became ill at Saweh, she enquired from her companions, how far Qum was. She was told 10 farsakh (approx. 60km). She asked to be taken to Qum, which at the time was a centre of the Shi’a. Saweh, on the other hand was hostile towards the family of the Holy Prophet (SAW.)

It is believed that Lady Fatima Masuma (A) died on the 10th or the 12th of Rabi al-Thani and that she spent the last 16 or 17 days of her life in Qum.

Amid pro-Maliki protests, Allawi coalition named winner

The full preliminary results from Iraq’s recent parliamentary elections point to the victory of the coalition led by former premier Iyad Allawi over its main rival and incumbent Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
According to the Shiite News Monitoring Desk, Securing 91 seats in the 325-member Council of Representatives, two more than those won by Maliki’s State of Law coalition, Allawi’s secular al-Iraqiya Alliance backed by Saudia Arabia and United States came victorious out of the March 7 elections, Iraqi electoral officials announced on Friday.
Allawi’s bloc won 91 seats and the State of Law coalition gained 89. The Iraqi National Alliance, dominated by Shiite parties, got 70 seats and a Kurdish alliance got 43.
Mr Allawi, a secular Shia and former loyalist of Saddam, will need to form a coalition government as he lacks a majority, amid fears the results may spark violence.
Political observers believed that Saudia and America backed Iraqiya coalition led by Ayad Allawi will not able to form the coalition government as the other coalitions have not interested to form the government with Saddam loyalist.
According to the Shiite News Correspondent from Baghdad says the coalition with the largest seats will be given “a first shot” to form a government which must hold at least a majority of 163 seats in the council.

According to the Iraqi constitution, if Allawi fails to do so within 30 days, the Iraqi president, who is elected by parliament, will designate the leader of another political list to form a coalition government. Following the results announcement, Allawi pledged to “work with all sides” to form a coalition government.
More than 6,200 candidates from six major coalitions and several other tribal and ethnic minority groups vied for the parliamentary seats on March 7, with Allawi and Maliki deemed as the main contenders.
Prior to the announcement, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki supporters took to the streets, echoing the call by the premier and President Jalal al-Talabani who had requested recount of the ballots.
Al-Maliki has asked for a manual recount as members of his State of Law coalition and other blocs have alleged voter fraud as the margin of votes separating the candidates has narrowed.
He has pledged to appeal the results to the federal court.
“The electoral commission refused our demand for a manual recount and insisted on refusing despite the demand of the president and my demands as a prime minister and the commander in chief of the armed forces,” al-Maliki told reporters. “The reasons behind their refusal were unknown.” However after the announcement Maliki says that the results are not yet final, AFP reported.
Speaking directly after the figures released by the electoral commission, Mr Maliki challenged the result and repeated his call for the electoral commission to recount the vote.
He added that his bloc would press ahead with plans to form the new government.
He demanded that the controversial de-Baathficiation law, under which those with links to Saddam Hussain’s Baath party are excluded from public office, should be applied to candidates who won seats in the parliament.
This is while the United Nations representative in the country called the electoral process “credible” and a “success” and urged the candidates to “accept the results.”

Majlis-e-Wahdate Muslameen stages protest demonstrations in Sindh

Protest demonstrations were held in the Sindh Province against the failure of the Government to arrest the terrorists involved in the bomb blast incidents on Ashura and Chehlum-e-Imam Hussain (AS) processions in Karachi add the attack of terrorists on Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) processions in the country.

According to the Shiite News Correspondent, the protest demonstrations were held in the several cities and districts of the Sindh province on the appeal of Majlis-e-Wahdate Muslameen (MWM) Sindh.

Addressing the central protest demonstration held outside the Noor-e-Iman Mosque in Karachi, MWM Central leader Maulana Hassan Zafar Naqvi vehemently condemned the arrest of innocent Shia people from the metropolis and denounced the Government failure to arrest terrorists involved in the Ashura and Arbaeen processions bomb blasts and attacks on Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) processions.

He criticized the political and religious parties over their support to the outlawed terrorist’s outfits saying that the support of these political parties to the terrorist’s organization would promote the sectarian violence in the country.

He urged the government to arrest the terrorists of outlawed organization to maintain the religious harmony in the country.

Three accused identified in Turabi murder case

A policeman who along with other security men was escorting the vehicle of Allama Hasan Turabi when the latter was killed in a blast identified three suspects in an anti-terrorism court on Thursday.Sultan Mahmood alias Saifullah, Mohammad Amin alias Khalid Shaheen, Mohammad Akbar Khan, Mohammad Rehman alias Mani, Ashfaq Qureshi and Raheemullah alias Ali Hasan, who are stated to be associated with banned militants outfits, are charged with masterminding a suicide attack on Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal leader Allama Hasan Turabi on July 14, 2006.Two witnesses appeared before the court and testified during the trial on Thursday.Eyewitness Mohammad Altaf, who was escorting the vehicle along with other policemen, identified Sultan Mahmood, Mohammad Amin and Mohammad Rehman and deposed that he saw them on motorbikes outside the Gulshan-i-Iqbal residence of Allama Hasan Turabi when the vehicle reached there.He testified that a man posing as a beggar then appeared and tried to approach Allama Turabi. As a victim’s nephew tried to stop the ‘beggar’ he blew himself up, the witness said, adding that the three accused disappeared after the blast. 

Inspector Moinuddin, the other witness, deposed that the CID police had arrested accused Raheemullah alias Ali Hasan in some other cases and he accompanied the investigation officer who arrested the accused in the Turabi murder case, adding that he was a witness to the memo of arrest.According to the prosecution, Sindh chief of the Tehrik-i-Islami and provincial vice-president of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal Allama Hasan Turabi and his young nephew Ali Turabi were killed in a suicide blast outside his Gulshan-i-Iqbal residence on July 14, 2006. Three police guards and a woman were also injured in the blast. The alleged suicide bomber was later identified as Abdul Karim. 

The case (FIR No 332/2006) was registered under Sections 302, 324, 427, 109, 120 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code and Sections 3 and 5 of the Explosive Substance Act read with Section 7 of the Anti-terrorism Act, 1997 at the Sachal police station on the complaint of Shafaat Hussain.The same accused were charged in another case with planting a remote-controlled explosive device in a cart on Abul Hasan Ispahani Road to kill Hasan Turabi on his way home within the remit of the Mubina Town police station on April 6, 2006. Allama Hasan Turabi escaped unhurt in the attempt.The case (FIR No 85/2006) was registered under Sections 324, 427, 109, 120 and 34 of the PPC and Sections 3 and 5 of the Explosive Substance Act read with Section 7 of the ATA at the Mubina Town police station on the complaint of Mohammad Ali Shah.  Justice Anand Ram Hotwani of ATC-III, who is conducting the trial of both cases inside the central prison, adjourned the hearing till April 14 for further evidence  

Iran, Bahrain should take common stances on Muslim world issues

Al-Zahrani and Iran’s Ambassador to Bahrain Amir Abdollahian also in the meeting discussed ways of expanding bilateral ties, particularly in the parliamentary domain and in the regional and international levels.

He said the Arab and Muslim world support Islamic sanctities in noble Quds and Abraham Mosque.

Bahraini parliament had recently released a statement supporting sacred places in Palestine occupied territories and noble Quds, condemning continued settlement construction and insult to sanctities by the Zionist regime.

Iraqi demonstrators call for recount of ballots

Hundreds of Iraqis have taken to the streets in the southern city of Basra to demand the nationwide recount of votes from the country’s March 7 parliamentary elections.  The demonstrators who support Prime Minister Nouri Maliki’s demand for a manual recount of around 12 million ballots, gathered outside the provincial government’s offices in Basra on Wednesday.

They held placards reading “We demand a recount,” and shouted “No! No to fraud, Yes! Yes to Maliki, Yes! Yes to Iraq.”  Hundreds of people had also took to the streets of Najaf and Karbala a few days ago to protest the results which gave Maliki’s main rival, former premier Iyad Allawi a slim lead in a tight election race, based on 95 percent of votes cast.

Over the weekend, the national election commission rebuffed Maliki’s demand for a manual recount of the ballots cast, saying as it had not seen any widespread fraud in the election, any recount is unnecessary. It said that political parties and groups would have to present evidence of wrongdoing to substantiate their complaints before full results are announced on Friday.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the heads of 10 provincial councils called for the election commission to authorize a recount of the votes due to the possibility of fraud “and manipulation of the election results.”  The statement said “if the commission does not respond to the demand of the provincial councils … the 10 provinces will begin a major escalation of measures.”

Watchdog urges Saudi Government to free Shia dissident

Human Rights Watch called on Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to free Shia activist Munir Jassas, saying that no charges had been pressed five months after his detention by domestic intelligence agents.

Jassas was arrested on November 7 last year after posting on internet websites a series of calls for protests over the government’s treatment of Shias, the New York-based watchdog said.

Shias make up about 10 percent of the population of the Wahabi kingdom, and Wabahi Saudi clerics frequently issued the hatred statements against the Shiite Muslims.

Jassas’s arrest came two months after he had been required by the intelligence service to sign a pledge not to post any more critical pieces on the Internet.

One of his postings had expressed support for Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, who earlier this year proposed that Shia-majority regions of Saudi Arabia — which include some of the world’s biggest oil fields — break away after a spate of violent incidents involving Shias.  Saudi authorities have sought to arrest Nimr, who remains in hiding.

Human Rights Watch said that Jassas was held in solitary confinement for four months after being arrested, and that charges have yet to be pressed. ”Jailing a peaceful critic for months on end shows just how far Saudi officials will go to avoid criticism,” the watchdog’s Middle East director Sarah Leah Whitson said.

“Silencing Shia advocates will do nothing to hide the Saudi government’s record of harassment and discrimination against the group.”

Celebrations on Birth Anniversary of Holy prophet (PBUH) and Imam Jafar Sadiq(as) in Kargil

Eid-E-Milad-Un-Nabi, Birth Anniversary of Holy prophet (PBUH) and his grandson Imam

Jafar Sadiq(as) was celebrated in Kargil (Ladakh) with full zeal and zest. A large

gathering was held at Madrasa Islamia School Kargil organized by Youth Wing Islamia

School. Thousand of people from various villages came to Kargil at Islamia School to

celebrate Eid.

According to Shiite News Correspondent,On this occasion Chief Executive councilor K. Ahmad Ali Khan, Executive Councilor,

Agriculture, Haji Ghulam Amir, Ajaz Ahmad Bhat, Kacho Mohammad Shah, AC PWD, Deputy

Chief Medical Officer, Executive Engineer R&B Div. II, Executive Engineer SVD Sankoo

other Officers and large number of public were present.

Sheikh Mussa Sharifee (Imam Jumma-wal-Jamat) also addressed on the occasion and prayed

to God for Brotherhood and Harmony in the Muslim world.

Pakistan Military Kills 11 Taliban

Pakistani officials said that military on Wednesday launched an assault on Taliban hideouts in the northwest tribal belt, killing 11 militants in firefights and bombing raids.

The operation came hours after a US drone aircraft fired two missiles into a compound in North Waziristan tribal district near the Afghan border, killing at least six suspected militants in the latest strike by the spy planes.

Pakistani troops began operations just after midnight Wednesday to oust militants from the outskirts of Kalaya, the main town in the Orakzai tribal district, a senior security official in the northwest city Peshawar said.

Helicopter gunships also shelled the militants in the same area of Orakzai, part of the lawless tribal belt along the Afghan border.
“At least 11 militants were killed in this clean-up operation,” the senior security official told AFP, refusing to be named as he was not authorized to speak to the media.

Major Fazal-ur-Rehman, spokesman for the paramilitary Frontier Corps, confirmed that security forces were battling militants in Orakzai and there were “militants losses”, but did not give the numbers.

An intelligence official said the shelling destroyed five mud brick compounds used by Taliban militants, while an administrative official based in Kalaya confirmed the death toll.

Shia teacher flogged for reading a religious book

Saudi authorities arrested last week a Saudi Shia teacher in one of Hassa schools and sentenced him for three months detention and 60 flogs.

The teacher was accused of reading supplemental Shia prayers at Baqi’a cemetery in Madinah.

Sources informed Rasid that forces from the Intelligence Administration in Al-Hassa arrested Mohammad Jasim Al-Hofoufi (44 years) from his workplace in Al-Mubbaraz city.

The teacher was handcuffed and arrested before his students and mates. He was accused by Saudi Religious Police of reading a polytheistic Shia supplements at Al_baqi’a cemetery in the holy city Al-Madinah.

Sources informed Rasid that the initial sentence by Al-Hassa Court judge was imprisonment for ten days and 60 flogs.

But when the accused tried to defend himself, the judge changed the sentence to 3 months for court contempt.

Mr. Al-Hofoufi is a father to six and was sent to prison immediately.

  • Scheme

It should be noted here that Mr. Al-Hofoufi was accused several months back of insulting prominent historical figures (Sahaba) and as a result, he was demoted to an administration work.

But his perseverance in Saudi Supreme Court proved him innocent and his status as a teacher regained.

Sources informed Rasid that this accusation is probably a scheme by the Religious Police.

Shaheed Dr Mohammad Ali Naqvi martyrdom program held in karachi

Martyrdom prolongs the life of the nation; we all should adopt the way of martyrdom said by the Maulana Shabir Raza Bukhari and Maulana Ahmed Iqbal Rizvi in their addresses on 15th martyrdom anniversary program of Dr. Mohammad ali Naqvi Shaheed held at Madinaul Ilm Imam Bargah Karachi organized by Imamians Karachi.
In their addressed to the participants, the Speakers highlihgted the sacrifice of Shaheed Dr Mohammad Ali Naqvi.  They said that Martyrdom prolongs the life of the nation and we all should follow the way of martyrdom.  They added that the participants about the life and service rendered by Dr. Mohammad Ali Naqvi Shaheed and emphasis on the importance of martyrdom in Islam. According to the Shiite news correspondent Former Central President of I.S.O Pakistan Molana Shabir Bukhari in his address said that Shaheed Dr. Mohammad Ali Naqvi was the true soldier of Imam e Zamana (ajtf) and during his life he was desperate of martyrdom. He said that we had an experience of working with Shaheed Dr. Mohammad Ali Naqvi and we always saw him in a very simple suit living a life of simplicity. Bukhari further said that he always obeyed the orders of Shaheed Quaid Allama Arif Hussaini. Our youth should live their life like Dr. Mohammad Ali Naqvi did it he added. Molana Ahmed Iqbal in his addresses emphasis on the importance of Martyrdom and said that Shaheed never dies; He is alive and receives food from his god. He said that martyrdoms with the sacrifice of their lives gives a new energy to the nation.  On this occasion hundreds of Lovers of Imam Hussain (a.s) participated from all over the Karachi including women and children.
On this occasion Senior Vice President of Imamia Student organization Pakistan Rehman Shah, General Secretary Zohair Qumbry and Divisional President of ISO Karachi Division Zain Ansari also participated. However, large numbers of the formers of Imamia Students Organizaion also present on the occasion to pay tribute to Dr Mohammad Ali Naqvi, founder of various shia organizations in Pakistan.

Ayatollah Khamenei: Iranians dealt strongest, last blows on enemy on Dec 30, Feb 11

“The strongest and last blows the Iranian nation dealt on the enemy were on December 30 and February 11 respectively; it was a big job on February 11 as the nation’s integrity was revealed on December 30,” said the Paramount Leader in an address to large groups of people in the holy Shrine of Hazrat Imam Raza (AS), the eighth Imam of Shiites, in Mashad in northeastern Razavi Khorassan Province.

World Shia Leader said all those voting to a special candidate, revised their attitude towards their favorite candidate when realized enemy presence on the scene and its dirty goals.

The Ayatollah Khamenei said that Iranian nation followed a similar motto on February 11.

“They (enemies) tried much to divide the nation but to no avail, facing public resistance. That’s a big victory for the nation. The June 12-February 11 interval should be taken as chapter of honor and full of lessons for the Iranian nation, which resulted in a new form of wisdom and opened a new chapter in Iranian nation’s insight,” said the Supreme Leader.

Ayatollah Khamenei said that enemies will not be able to harm the Islamic establishment of Iran thanks to Iranian nation’s vigilance, unity and perseverance.

More in his address to large groups of the locals on the first day of spring and New Year, Ayatollah Khamenei said under God’s grace and thanks to vigilance, courage, wisdom, unity and perseverance of the Great Iranian nation, enemies will not be able to harm the Islamic establishment and separate the public from the system. “Victory and progress will make future of the country and the nation more brilliant,” added the Ayatollah.

The Paramount Leader lauded the Iranian nation for firmly and unanimously confronting enemies after the 10th Presidential Election, held on June 12, 2009. “Under God’s grace, the nation and the country will continue to follow the path to victory and progress and enemies will be doomed to failure and backwardness.”

As for his designation of the current Iranian year as the year of “Double Endeavor, Double Work,” Ayatollah Khamenei hoped that the Iranian nation and officials will add to their works and endeavors to meet their great expectations and lofty ideals.

Commenting on national achievements in the last Iranian year of 1388 (March 21, 2009-March 20, 2010), Ayatollah Khamenei said 40 million or more than 80 percent strong and historical presence of the public in the polls on June 12, 2009, marked a very important event, being outstanding proof of legitimacy of Iranian system.

Though denying such a vivid fact apparently, the world analysts and policy makers do understand that Iranian nation is firm on its stances and is still committed to fundamentals of the system despite lapse of 30 years from triumph of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, said the Supreme Leader.

Noting that the Islamic and republican features of the Iranian establishment are not separable from each other, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “I do not wish to accuse anybody but do know well and identify overall structure of the enemy’s work as the public opinion and independent, sincere and sharp-sighted analysts, pondering on the form and nature of the (post-vote) events, linked them (the events) to foreign agents.”

Referring to similar plots hatched by foreigners in certain countries oversease, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “The realities show that when arrogant powers get unhappy with a country wait until elections there so that in case of failure of their favorite candidate, bring a number of individuals to streets to stir order and stage riots and uproar if necessary on the hope to change legal poll results through violence.”

Efforts to change result of the June 12 elections in Iran through violence and riots were against the law and Sharia (Islamic cannon law), said the Supreme Leader, adding that vigilant victory of the nation in the post-vote events served as an eye-opener and was full of lessons.

The Ayatollah said division of the nation into the majority and minority groups and the loser and the winner and pitting them against each other are all obvious plots of enemies to divide them. “In the meantime, a number of rioters stepped into the scene in line with enemy wishes to fan civil war in Iran but the nation was vigilant and turned them hopeless.”

“On the day of elections, people were divided into groups of 14 million and 24 million and each voted to their favorite candidate but having realized foreigners’ plot, both the groups after a short while got united and alertly and unanimously confronted enemies and rioters.”

Noting support of enemies of Islam and Iran for the rioters, the Supreme Leader said, “Americans, Britons and Zionists would have certainly brought forces into streets of Tehran if they could to meet their dirty plans but they did know that it would be against their interests. So, they started political and publicity works in favor of the rioters so as to divert public opinion inside and outside the country but to no avail.”

Recalling his speech on the first day of last year about the US President Barack Obama, Ayatollah Khamenei said, “As said, officials of the system prudently monitored the apparently stretched hand of the new US president to make sure no “cast-iron clutch” is hidden inside the “velvet glove” and unfortunately the prediction came to be right.”

Also referring to the US President’s covert and overt claims, letters and messages that expressed his willingness to establish fair relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran, Ayatollah Khamenei said all the claims proved to be false.

The US President took the worst stances after the 10th presidential elections, describing those attacking the public and the rioters as members of a civil movement, thus unwillingly revealing nature of his objectives, declared the Paramount Leader.

Sharply criticizing the US government’s “false” claims of supporting civil rights and democracy, the Supreme Leader said the US government turns a blind eye to Iranian nation’s massive turnout in the elections and its united stances on different issues, continuing massacre of Afghans and Iraqis and supporting killers of Palestinian children in Gaza despite its human rights slogans. “Realities show that the (US) government is not principally in the position to support democracy and human rights.”

“Once again I announce to all governments, dealing with Iranian nation and the Islamic Republic with arrogant attitude, that Iranian nation and officials reject and condemn them, while identifying their nature in whatever guise.
The nation never intends to compromise its interests and progress,” concluded the Supreme Leader.

40th of Martyrs of Ashoora, Arbaeen, and Milad-un-Nabi incidents observed on TNFJ call

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Universal Chehlum of Shuhada of Ashoora, Arbaeen, and Milad-un-Nabi incidents was observed throughout the country on Friday without any discrimination of any sects or a country on the call of Quaid-i-Millat Jafariya Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah.

The day began with reading of Quran at mosques in all small and big cities and towns including the Federal Capital Islamabad, Azad Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Reading Quran and Fateha for all martyrs was performed without any discrimination in main Juma congregations and Majalis-e-Tarheem.

The Aaimma Masajid, Khutaba, Ulema and Waizeen highlighted the philosophy of death and life in their address. A peaceful rally was organized by District Chehlum Committee of the TNFJ Islamabad in front of National Press Club Islamabad against the continued incidents of terrorism. Ulema, local office-bearers of the TNFJ, M.O., MFP, MSO, and religious elite were leading the rally.

The Central Spokesman of the TNFJ addressing the demonstrators said that motherland Pakistan is the fruit of joint struggle of all Sunni-Shia schools of thought and is the target of terrorism for quite long rather is surrounded by such elements from all around.

He Strongly condemning all incidents of terrorism, he demanded from the government to give exemplary punishment to the culprits of all these incidents. He made it clear that such incidents are a conspiracy against the motherland and to thwart this conspiracy it is obligatory for the government and the opposition to express practical hatred against those banned groups that had been declared terrorists and avoid presenting them as champions of peace on the media.

HDP Announces Protest Against Hazara Shia Muslim Target Killings in Quetta

Hazara Democratic Party staged a rally in Quetta against unremitting target killings of Hazara Shia Muslim tribe members in the provincial capital of Balochistan. Six members of Hazara tribe have been martyred in three different incidents of target killings in Quetta in just four days.

The rally was led by secretary-general HDP Abdul Khaliq Hazara was taken out from the party secretariat on Alamdar Road which marched to Meezan Chowk where the participants staged a sit-in. Carrying placards and chanting slogans against the provincial administration for its failure to ensure security to Hazara Shia community members the protestors demanded immediate arrest of the target killers.

Speaking on the occasion, Abdul Khaliq Hazara, criticized the provincial government for its failure to maintain law and order in the city. He said six members of Hazara community have been killed in just four days in three different incidents of target killings which shows the inefficiency of the government and its poor performance.

He also criticized the political parties of the province for their criminal silence over the target killings of Hazara Shia Muslim people. He urged the civil society activists to help them check the target killings of Hazara community members in Quetta.

Iraq election commission turns down recount demand

Iraqi electoral commission on Sunday rejected the wholesale recount of the ballots cast in the recent general election amid calls for the measure by the Iraqi president and prime minister.

“We have provided all political entities with CDs with the results of counting at the political centers, after thorough checks on our part,” the head of Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission Faraj al-Haidari was quoted as saying by AFP.

“If they have doubts and think that there are errors, they can ask us to hold recounts at particular centers, but not across all of Iraq,” he added.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and President Jalal al-Talabani have urged a manual recount of the vote, with the premier saying the measure would “protect political stability … and prevent a return to violence.”

Election tally, obtained by counting 92 percent of the ballots from the March 7 elections, on Saturday turned unexpectedly in favor of Maliki’s rival camp, the al-Iraqiya Alliance. The updated results gave, al-Iraqiya, which is headed by former premier Iyad Allawi, a slim lead of 8,000 votes.

Al-Iraqiya lawmaker Intisar Allawi, meanwhile, called Maliki’s call for a recount a “clear threat against the commission.”

Saudi Arabia and United States spend billions of dollars for the triumph of Saddam loyalists Al-Iraqiya in the general elections of Iraq but despite the efforts of Saudi and American Government the Al-Iraqiya has not yet obtain the major lead against their Shia rival alliance of Nouri al-Maliki and Iraqi National Alliance.

With the 325 parliamentary seats being allotted by province, the turn of events, however, has not disheartened Maliki’s supporters as his Rule of Law party retains its lead in seven of Iraq’s 18 provinces — two more than the ones conquered by al-Iraqiya.

Sayyed Khamenei: US Plots against Iran While Offering Dialogue

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei accused on Sunday the United States of “plotting” against the Islamic republic even as it offers talks.
 
“I once again announce that the governments who have an arrogant attitude and mentality and who want to talk to the Iranian nation and its officials should know that this is not acceptable and is condemned by the Iranian nation and officials,” Sayyed Khamenei said, in a New Year address to the nation, in reference to the United States.
  
“You cannot talk about peace and friendship and at the same time plot and plan sedition and think that you can hurt the regime of the Islamic republic of Iran,” his eminence said addressing the Americans.
 
Sayyed Khamenei said that the enemies of the Islamic republic had plans to start a “civil war” after last June elections.
  
Blaming the United States and Israel for much of the unrest after the presidential election, Sayyed Khamenei said that “the enemies wanted to divide the people… and to create a civil war, but the nation was alert.”
  
“If they were able to do it, the US and Zionist regime would have sent troops to Tehran’s streets, but they knew it would hurt them. Thus they spread propaganda and supported the rioters.”
 
On Saturday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that the government will in the new Iranian year continue the path of progress more speedily, using all national capacities.
 
Delivering his New Year televised address to the nation, Ahmadinejad said the presidential elections, featured by unprecedented and epic presence of a wise nation in the polls, challenged the world’s unilateralist system, proving glory, majesty and righteousness of Iranian nation.
 
Pointing to the drawn out protests against the election results, Ahmadinejad said that “the enemies tried to prevent the luster of the Iranian nation …by throwing dust towards the sun, but in reality they threw dust on their own faces and the grandeur of the Iranian nation dazzled the eyes of the world.”
 
“The enemies… must know that the Iranian nation today is much happier, kinder, more determined and stronger than the past year.”

Yazidi terrorits killed Nigah Hussain in karachi

Nigah Hussain elder brother of Maulana Azadar Hussain, prayer leader of Hussaini Sefaratkhan Malir karachi was martyred on Sunday night by the unkonwn terrorists.
the unknown terrorists were killed the Nigah Hussain at his residence Malir. He was the employee of Airport Security Force (ASF).
It is pertaining to mention here that the terrorist outfit of Sipah-e-Sahaba (SSP) is restore their activities in the Sindh province as the Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan and biased Sindh religious affairs Advisor Mufti Ferozuddin Hazarwi met the defunct outfit SSP chief Ahmed Ludhanvi and assured him about their support to the terrorist banned organization.

2 Shia youths acquitted in Azam Tariq murder case

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) here on Saturday exonerated two innocent Shia youths from the fake charges of killing of Azam Tariq, a leader of banned outfit Sipah-e-Sahaba. The ATC Judge Malik Akram Awan acquitted Shia youths Muhammad Ali and Mudassir Ali on the charges of killing Azam Tariq in October 2003, as they were accused of firing at the banned outfit leader. The judge released both the accused by giving them benefit of the doubt, as prosecution could not prove its case.
Talking to The Shiite News,  Advocate Ilyas Siddiqui who represented the released men told that the court had already cleared them in 2006 from the charges of abetting the deadly attack on Azam Tariq and they were arrested on February 19, 2007.
Azam Tariq who was also an MNA from Jhang was killed along with four other men on October 6, 2003 when he was returning from his native constituency to attend the National Assembly session.
In the attack, Azam had received 40 bullet injuries and died on the spot

Leader congratulates nation on Nowruz

In the name of God

O the transformer of hearts and sights…

O the planner of night and day…

O the transformer of our being…

Transform our being into the very best…

I congratulate all Iranians living in our vast and dear country on Nowruz and the beginning of the year, the first day of spring and the rebirth of nature. I also congratulate all Iranians living in other parts of the world, those who have great hopes for their country.

I would especially like to congratulate the youth, men and women, who have made great sacrifices for the high goals of the revolution and the country; those who have dedicated their lives and their youth for the revolution and the prosperity of our country; the honorable families of the martyrs, war-disabled veterans and their families and all those who work for the prosperity of the country.

And I would like to pay tribute to our great Imam Khomeini, the founder of this massive movement of people, the one who started the development of the great Islamic Republic of Iran.

Nowruz is the beginning of growth, this growth, as felt in the nature, can take shape in our hearts and mind in our movement towards development.

Let’s take a look back at the year 1388 which is coming to an end, if we want to describe the year 1388 in one sentence, I think it would be the year of the Iranian nation, the year of victory for this great nation, the year of historic and effective participation of this nation in spheres linked to the destiny of our great Revolution and great country.

In the early months of the year 1388, people, with their unprecedented participation, organized an election which was unprecedented in the history of our Revolution and in our country’s long history; an outstanding point of our history.

During the following months, again, people in a big test and in a big and historic movement demonstrated their participation, determination, perseverance, national resolve and their wisdom.

As a brief interpretation of the events in the months following the elections, I can say the enemies of the country and the enemies of the Islamic Republic concentrated all their efforts and power on defeating this Revolution from within itself.

Our nation stood against this fiendish plot and vicious act and brought the enemy to his knees with outstanding wisdom, perseverance and resolve.

What happened during the eight months after the election until the 22nd of Bahman (Feb. 11) has been an experience full of lessons and warnings and has actually been a begining for the Iranian nation.

The nation acted brilliantly in the year 1388, and the officials also made great and admirable efforts, these efforts were considerable and deserve admiration; it is the duty of all impartial observers to appreciate these efforts and work done for the sake of the country’s prosperity and development in different spheres. Officials have made great achievements in scientific and industrial spheres, in social affairs and foreign policy. May God reward them all and grant them the opportunity to make further achievements.

What my observation of the current status of the country and the huge capacity of this great nation and country tell me is that what we have done, what the officials and people have done is not much given the huge capacity of the country for development.

We are obliged to struggle more and make more efforts, much more than before.

This part of the prayer we recite in the year’s transition is interesting when we say “transform our being to the very best.” It does not say “make us feel better or bring us better days,” it calls for the best happenings, best days and best situation.

This is the high aspiration of a Muslim; he wants to reach the best in all spheres.

This year we need to multiply our efforts to achieve what this prayer has taught us in accordance with the country’s necessities and capacity. We need to increase the level our work.

I have named this year as “redoubled diligence and redoubled work,” hoping that all officials along with people with higher aspiration and intensified work can take higher steps and move closer toward our high goals in different fields including the economic, cultural, political, civil and social fields.

We need this redoubled diligence; our country needs this redoubled work. We need to trust God, seek God’s help, we should know the ground has been prepared for more work.

Our enemies target our nation’s knowledge and devotion, we should intensify our knowledge and devotion, with God’s help the roads will be paved, barriers will be removed, and God’s help and victory will assist our nation and authorities.

Militants blow up girls' school in NW Pakistan

“Militants blew up Rahim Gul Primary School on Saturday in the Garbal district of the Safi area of Mohmand Agency. The girls’ school building was completely destroyed because of the explosion. However, no one was hurt in the attack,” local administrative officials said.

Security forces conducted a search operation after the attack in pursuit of the perpetrators.

The incident was the third of its kind in the region so far this week. On Friday, two government-run schools were badly damaged as they were targeted by militants in the Navagai and Mandil districts of the Bajaur agency — a major militant stronghold in northwest Pakistan near the Afghan border.

Pro-Taliban militants, who are opposed to girls’ education, have blown up or burnt hundreds of state-run schools in northwest Pakistan in recent years

Mosque Societies are the best places for executing cultural programs

Iran — Hojatolislam Walizadeh in a meeting with the Administrators and liaisons of Art and Cultural Mosques’ Societies of Nehbandan expressed: The next year has been named “Education and Vision” for the Art and Cultural Mosques’ Societies and in the year 1390 we will be witnessed for the growth and transformation in the Societies.

He stated: currently 187 Societies are active all over the province which will pass 200 in next year.
Walizadeh added: presently in South Khorasan province, 150 libraries, 21 Quran centers and 14 kindergarten nurseries and 7 Shabestan News Agency Offices are active.

By referring that in third visit of the Government cabinet, 200 billion Rials have been allocated for the cultural activities, he called on the officials to pay special attention to the mosques.

Saudi Wahhabi Sheikh Demands Demolishing Masjid al Haram

Demolish Masjid Al-Haram, demands Saudi Sheikh

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia: A Salfi Saudi cleric on Wednesday March 17 has called for demolishing the Grand Mosque (Masjid Al-Haram) in the holy city of Makkah and replacing it with a new one featuring “20 to 30” floors in pretext of preventing men and women from mingling during pilgrimages (sha’a’er ot-Tawaf was Sa`ee) which has been in Muslim practice since centuries, says a report in daily Akhbar Al Khaleej.

Sheikh Yousaf Al-Ahmed, an Islamic scholar and a teacher in Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, was speaking during a phone-in on a Saudi satellite television show.

A viewer posed video footage of the show on the YouTube website, dubbing the cleric “the new Ibraha” after the tyrant who wanted to demolish the Ka’aba 14 centuries ago.

The present Grand Mosque has three floors and is the largest mosque in the world. It is built around the Kaaba, the most sacred place in Islam.

Earlier, the Saudi government has razed a number of holy sites that belonged to the Prophet Muhammad (s), his holy progeny, wives and companions in the holy cities of Makkah and Medinah etc sending a wave of anger in the Muslim world.