Increasingly, the moderate elements in Islam are coming to the front, arguing an anti-terror case.

Saudi Arabia’s highest religious authority issued a fatwa (edict) denouncing all acts of terrorism and criminalising its financing, Asharq al-Awsat daily reported today.

The Council of Supreme Scholars declared “any act of terrorism, including providing financial support to terrorists, a crime,” regardless of where it takes place, the London-based newspaper said.

According to the fatwa, the financier of acts of terrorism will be considered a “partner” in the crime, the newspaper said.

The council did not specify a penalty to the act of financing terrorism, leaving that decision for the Islamic courts to determine, the newspaper said.

Berlin’s Martin-Gropius Building is displaying masterpieces of Islamic art, including rare copies of the Holy Qur’an.

The Berlin exhibition shows some of the most important works of art from the Muslim world, including pages from ‘Shahnameh’ (Grand Book), a magnum opus by renowned Persian poet Abolqasem Ferdowsi. They are among the most remarkable in the world.

The exhibition also includes the oldest known Arabic manuscript of the ‘Canon of Medicine’ by Avicenna (980-1037), the Iranian physician and most influential Muslim philosopher-scientist, Mehr News Agency reported.

Also on show is a double page of the ‘Blue Qur’an’ from 9th century. The blue parchment sheets are inscribed with gold letters in Kufic script and are among the most valuable and elaborate Qur’anic manuscripts in the world.

Running from March to June, the exhibition is arranged under two main sections. First, ‘The Word of God’ consists of Qur’anic manuscripts, illustrated sheets and artifacts that deal with pilgrimage to Mecca or Islamic mysticism which have inspired many artists and architects. Second, ‘The Route of the Travelers’ takes visitors on a journey through the Muslim world.

The artworks on display, namely the paintings, drawings, book illustrations, manuscripts, inscriptions, metalwork, ceramics and wood carvings, reveal the extraordinary variety and overwhelming richness of Islamic culture.

Scotland Yard has bowed to Islamic sensitivities and accepted that Muslims are entitled to throw shoes in ritual protest — which could have the unintended consequence of politicians or the police being hit.

News of the concession has come to light amid a series of trials of more than 70 mostly Muslim demonstrators who were charged with violent disorder after last year’s Gaza protests outside the Israeli embassy in London.
Aquib Salim, 21, an IT student at Queen Mary, London University, who was involved in a shoe-throwing incident, is almost certain to avoid a prison sentence as a result.

Chris Holt, Salim’s solicitor, said he was likely to get a suspended sentence after he pleaded guilty to a single charge of throwing a stick at police lines. “The court accepted that the earlier shoe-throwing incident was simply a ritual form of protest and therefore not a criminal act of violence,” Holt said.

Judge Denniss agreed that the act of shoe-throwing should not be considered in a charge of violent disorder against the student because it was “a symbolic” gesture.

The concession has already been taken up enthusiastically by Muslim demonstrators, who pelted Downing Street with shoes in protest at the Israeli bombing of Gaza last year.

The secretary general for the World Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought (WFPIST) Ayatollah Mohammad-Ali Taskhiri said religious scholars from all Islamic schools have a key role in helping prevent discord among Muslims.

Speaking at a meeting with Indian Muslim scholars in Tehran on Tuesday, Taskhiri stressed the need for unity among the Ummah and said “The holy Qur’an has equated differences and discord with adversity and affliction,” WFPIST’s public relations office reported.

Scholars, theologians and preachers should know that “Enemies [of Islam] are trying to sow discord among Muslims” and that it is their obligation to prevent divisions in the ranks of Muslims.

During the meeting prominent Indian Muslim scholars, including Dr. Qalb Sadeq and Abdul Wahab Khalaji , emphasized the need for Muslims to help the oppressed and downtrodden, close ranks and strive for the unity of Ummah.

American Muslims say following the September 11 terror attacks in the US, their rights have often been violated in the name of national security.

Muslim Americans complain that in the aftermath of the 9/11 incidents the definition and face of a terrorist became distinctly Muslim, making some followers of the faith targets of hateful words and acts, while making it difficult for others to keep jobs, go to school or even board a plane.

“9/11 made things worse. It added a lot on our shoulders. It brought stereotypes and bad policies in front and there were already bad policies in the past,” Nihad Awad, Executive Director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), told Press TV’s Erin Connors.

CAIR moved this week to ask the US Department of Justice to close loopholes that allow for profiling individuals based on their religion and national origin, something that some officials describe as ‘the way to a secure America’.

“The government has to act on active intelligent intelligence, not on racial religious profiling. It has shown over time to be ineffective and counterproductive,” Nihad emphasized.

Many observers maintain that acts of terrorism take place by members of other religions and ethnicities as well, but they are seldom labeled after their ethnic identity.

“It’s the act that defines what is illegal not the person or action,” said Sahar Aziz, who is on the Bill of Rights Defense Committee.

“It’s in everyone’s interest to support national security, not in everyone’s interest to support racial profiling as a means to do so, it’s not effective,” she said.

American and Israeli elements believe that Syria has transferred long and medium range surface-to-surface Scud missiles to Hezbollah which could target most of the Zionist entity’s territory, the Kuwaiti al-Rai newspaper reported.
 
According to the report, which is based on American sources in Washington, Israeli and Western intelligence services have discovered that the Syrian army has been training Hezbollah operatives on how to operate a line of missiles from Syria’s weapons arsenal including anti-aircraft and medium-long range Scud missiles.
 
The US sources told the paper that Israel has warned Syria, via Turkey and Qatar, of its intention to bomb Lebanese and Syrian targets should the missiles cross the border and reach Hezbollah. The Syrian ambassador to Washington was summoned for a talk.
 
The al-Rai paper further reported that US Senator John Kerry met with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus, who denied the reports. However, Assad did not convince the Americans, who fear that the transfer of missiles would lead to a regional war, especially if Israel should decide to act on its threat.
 
Ynet commented on the report saying that it should be noted that the Scud shipment has not changed the military balance as Hezbollah already possess long and medium range missiles and rockets which could go as far as Beersheba. However, the transfer bears a symbolic significance boosting the resistance group’s confidence since the only bodies which hold surface-to-surface ballistic missiles are sovereign states.
 
“Hezbollah has therefore become the only non-governmental organization in the world to hold such weapons. One can assume had the missiles been “tie-breaking weapons,” the Israeli army would have already taken action. It should also be noted that Israel is currently abstaining from taking any step which would divert international focus from Iran sanctions,” Ynet added.
 
The Scud missile is designated to hit population centers in the Tel Aviv Metropolitan area or Haifa. According to the Kuwaiti report, the missiles transferred to Hezbollah are not state-of-the-art and are apparently stationed deep inside Lebanon for fear of an Israel Air-Force strike.
 
Moreover, Israeli President Shimon Peres on Tuesday accused Syria of supplying Scud missiles to Hezbollah while publicly talking peace. “Syria claims it wants peace while at the same time it delivers Scuds to Hezbollah whose only goal is to threaten the state of Israel,” Peres told public radio.
 
“Syria believes it need do nothing more than let itself be courted by the world, while saying one thing and doing the opposite,” Peres said amid Israeli media reports of rising tensions.
 
He made the comments just hours before flying to Paris, where he is expected to discuss the issue with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
 
Israeli Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai declined to go into details of the alleged Scud shipments but said that “Hezbollah’s firing capacity has significantly improved.”
 
In February, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Lebanon of allowing Hezbollah to develop its stockpile of weapons.
Israel estimates Hezbollah’s arsenal at some 40,000 rockets, a significant rise from the group’s 14,000 rockets in 2006.
 
Vilnai said that Israel would again conduct military exercises this year to prepare for possible rocket attacks by Hezbollah.
 
SECOND LEBANON WAR LESSONS
It was reported last month that Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak discussed the transfer of weapons from Syria to Hezbollah during his Washington visit. It is likely that Barak, who fears a “tie-breaking weapon” in Lebanon, was referring to anti-aircraft systems which Hezbollah is after, having drawn lessons from the Second Lebanon War.
 
At the time, the group was armed with light shoulder-launched anti-aircraft missiles which were unable to seriously target the IAF. Hezbollah is therefore interested in obtaining heavy, sophisticated and long-range anti-aircraft systems such as radar detectors, radar-guided missile batteries and cannons which could damage the IAF’s aerial and intelligence freedom in Lebanon.
 
Arab and Western media recently reported that Hezbollah operatives have been training in Syria on using SA-8 man-portable anti-aircraft batteries which can target jets and helicopters at low and medium altitude.

Noted Shia Cleric Maulana Raja Nasir Abbas has been elected the first General Secretary of Majlis-e-Wahdat Muslimeen (MWM) for the next three years.

Hujatul-Islam Maulana Raja Nasir Abbas has elected the first General secretary of MWM after securing majority votes of 61 percent from all five provinces of the county and Azad Kashmir.

It may be noted here that this was the first party convention of Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) after its formation in April 2008 in Punjab. More than 300 representatives of Central executive council of MWM from 90 districts and six provincial structure of MWM including Punjab, Sindh, NWFP, Balochistan, Azad-Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan were elected the new secretary general of MWM.

The Iraqi premier’s Rule of Law alliance has filed an official complaint over what it calls massive vote rigging in the March general elections.

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s coalition secure 89 out of 325 parliamentary seats in the March 7 vote, two seats shy of former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi’s Iraqiya Party.

A spokesman for the Rule of Law said on Sunday that up to 750,000 votes have been manipulated through fraud and that the coalition was seeking a recount in five provinces or at least in Baghdad — the most populous of Iraq’s 18 provinces which accounts for 68 seats, just over a fifth of parliament.

“We believe the amount of manipulation in the votes in these five provinces could reach 750,000 votes … this is a huge number and possibly could change enormously the elections results,” coalition spokesman Hachim al-Hasani told reporters.

“This is why we presented this appeal and we hope that the judicial appeal panel will do its duty … and look into it seriously,” he added.

He said most of the votes affected by fraud would otherwise have gone to the Rule of Law coalition.

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei slams US President Barack Obama for implicitly threatening Iran with a “nuclear attack.”

In a meeting with top military commanders on Sunday Ayatollah Khamenei said certain powers reply on their strength out of pride and therefore lose their authority.

“An example of this is the recent remarks by the US president who implicitly threatened the Iranian nation with the use of nuclear arms.”

“These remarks are very strange and the world should not ignore them because in the 21st century, the century of claiming to advocate human rights and fight terrorism, the head of a country has threatened [to launch] a nuclear attack,” he added.

Ayatollah Khamenei said such comments are not in the interest of the US, adding, “These remarks mean that the US government is a wicked and unreliable government.”

“In recent years, the Americans made many efforts to show that the Islamic Republic of Iran is unreliable in the nuclear issue…it is clear now that the governments that have atomic bombs and shamelessly threaten to bomb others [countries] are the unreliable ones. Therefore the US president’s remarks are scandalous.”

The Leader said that the strength of an establishment is dependant on its faith, resilience, and strong will. “After 30 years, the Iranian nation is more resilient and strong and has shown it has the ability to withstand any form of animosity.”

Ayatollah Khamenei urged Iran’s Armed Forces to adopt necessary strategies to promote the country’s defense capabilities.

“The Armed Forces should always be on full alert and ready to counter any threats by… taking their training seriously,” he said.

Hezbollah says Iran’s nuclear program is in the best interests of Muslim nations.

Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem said on Saturday that the United States is an oppressive and colonialist power in the region that has dealt numerous blows to the Mideast.

“The US administration seeks to deter Iran from its nuclear development program by means of pressure and tough sanctions. It calls on Tehran to give assurances that its nuclear activities are of a civilian nature, even though it has done so,” Qassem added.

He went on to say that even if Iran presents hundreds of pieces of evidence proving its nuclear program is peaceful, the US and other Western countries will reject it all.

The leaders were speaking on the first day of a 2-day countywide convention started in Islamabad on Saturday organized by Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen Pakistan (MWM).

Addressing the opening session of the convention, Alama Shabbir Hussian Bukhari said that Pakistan is an important country due to its strategic and geographic position and world powers have tried to misuse the state for there ill objectives.

The Islamic revolution in Iran has a clear message to the nation to stand against imperialist powers, he said. He said that America and its allies are behind sectarian violence in Pakistan. “People of Pakistan are against the U.S. and its aliens due to their brutalities on oppressed nation”.

Describing the working of MWM, he said that MWM has formed its structures in all four provinces, Azad Kashmir, Gilgt Baltistan. Out of 110 districts of Pakistan MWM has been formed its structure in 80 districts.

Alama Hasnain Gardezi said that former dictator Zia- ul- haq divided Pakistani nation into sects and ill effects are appearing now. He touched upon the double standard of Pakistani govt of fiscals who are ready to offer in any service to US at any cost and on the other hand they raise slogans against the slavery of arrogant power.

He said that Pakistanis have to restore their identity and safeguard for our beloved country from rectification and national divisions. “Our beloved country is in critical era so all. Political and religious parties should have single agenda i-e “safeguard Pakistan”

Deputy general secretary of Gilgit, Balistan Alama Nayer Abbas, GS Blochistan Alama Maqsod Domoki,GS Punjab Alama Abdul Khaliq Asadi stressed on govt to take strong against religious madras which are involved in ‘Ashur’, chehulam and Eid-e-Milad procession attacks.

The person involve in such incident should be arrested immediately and executed. They said that banned organizations are actively pursuing their activities and govt should take strong notice on them.

The rivals of the outlawed religious outfit Tehreek-e-Jaffaria (TJP) leader Allama Sajid Ali Naqvi are going to hold their first party convention in Islamabad to elect the new leadership for the Shia community, The Nation has learned on Friday. The rivals of the outlawed religious outfit are once again holding their organizational convention to show their strength to their rival leaders.

They have setup a platform of Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) to unite all the scattered organizations and clerics of Shia community in a single platform of MWM. It may be noted here that the large numbers of Shia clerics and organizations had parted their ways with the TJP Chief Allama Sajid Ali Naqvi in 1995 over their disputes with him on several political and religious issues from the 1995 they have been continuously taken thrice attempts to letdown their rival leader by forming a organization. When The Nation contacted to Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) Central Additional Secretary Maulana Ameen Shaheedi, he said that they were going to organize the first organizational convention of MWM on 10th and 11 April in Islamabad to elect the first secretary General of MWM. Describing the object of formation of MWM, he said that the main reason of the formation of Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen is to provide a platform to the Shia community of the country as the former leader has failed to represent the community in the country. He said that the major objective of the Majlis-e-Wahdat is to create harmony among the Muslim sects of the country and initiate efforts to bring out the country from the influence of United States. He informed that they were established the MWM two years ago at Punjab level but due to the vast expectation of the community, they were enhanced the organizational structure of MWM across the country. Maulana Ameen Shaheedi said that the former leadership of the Shia community had failed to fulfill the interest of the community in the country saying that this was the main reason that clerics from Punjab has laid the foundation of MWM two years back. He said that now the structure of MWM was existed in every knock and corner of the country saying that more than 300 representatives of Central executive council of MWM will elect the new secretary general of MWM. He further said that the representatives of 90 districts and six provincial structure of MWM including Punjab, Sindh, NWFP, Balochistan, Azad-Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan saying that more than 1200 clerics, notables and scholars are invited in the program.

It is pertaining to mention here that the Former Military ruler Pervez Musharraf had imposed the ban on Tehreek-e-Jaffaria and Sipah-e-Sahaba over the allegedly involvement in the sectarian violence in the country.

The third generation of centrifuges is more efficient and can enrich uranium faster. The separating power of these centrifuges is six times higher than its predecessors.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Director Ali-Akbar Salehi made speeches outlining the country’s nuclear achievements at the ceremony.

Ahmadinejad said sanctions cannot hinder Iran’s nuclear progress. “No country can halt the Iranian nation’s progress,” he stated.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Ahmadinejad called the new nuclear arms reduction treaty, known as the new START pact, which was signed by the United States and Russia in Prague on Thursday, a big lie.

He reiterated Tehran’s position that Iran is prepared to conduct a nuclear fuel swap and to share its nuclear expertise with its neighbors.

Ahmadinejad proposes new bloc of countries seeking nuclear disarmament

Ahmadinejad said nuclear disarmament will not be materialized by those who produce and possess nuclear weapons.

For over 60 years, they have been saying that they seek to curtail the production of nuclear weapons, but all their policies have focused on the development of such weapons, he noted.

He also called on independent countries to make efforts to establish a new grouping with the goal of eradicating nuclear weapons.

Bushehr plant to come on stream by summer

Salehi announced that the Bushehr nuclear power plant would become operational by summer.

The AEOI director also announced that the sites where the new enrichment facilities will be built have been selected.

On the geological studies, he said considerable reserves of uranium have been found in Yazd Province and new exploration projects are under way.

In conclusion, Salehi elaborated on the country’s nuclear achievements, saying they have applications in the medical, agricultural, and industrial spheres.

Final test of Bushehr nuclear power plant conducted

The main and final test needed before the Bushehr nuclear power plant can start producing electricity was also conducted on Friday.

The warm-water test at the 1000-megawatt Bushehr plant was carried out and all the facility’s equipment was examined at high temperatures.

Iran has announced that it needs to generate 20,000 megawatts of electricity through nuclear energy over the next two decades to meet the energy demands of its growing population.

Another meeting joined on Thursday night Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah and the head of the Democratic Gathering MP Walid Jumblatt, the first since the latter achieved his much-awaited visit to the Syrian capital and his meeting with Syrian President Bachar Assad.
 
According to a statement released by Hezbollah media relations, Sayyed Nasrallah received Jumblatt and assessed with him his visit to Syria on March 31 and its positive impact on the return to natural ties between Lebanon and Syria. Jumblatt thanked Sayyed Nasrallah for his mediation and the efforts he paid to achieve the visit to Damascus and the meeting with Assad.
 
Both leaders renewed commitment to the national stances, mainly the choice of Resistance in the face of the ongoing Israeli threats to Lebanon and the necessity to support it. They also discussed the “economic situation and expressed common interest to support the Lebanese citizen rights to decent living.”
 
The meeting between Sayyed Nasrallah and Jumblatt also touched on the issue of the relations between Hezbollah and the Progressive Socialist Party where the two sides stressed the need to “enhance cooperation between them in order to consolidate coexistence and national unity.”
 
Hezbollah Secretary General also received the head of the municipality of Sidon Abdul-Rahman al-Bizri. The meeting, attended by the member of Hezbollah politburo Hajj Mahmud Qmati, discussed the latest developments in Lebanon, mainly in the South.

A range of leading Muslim scholars today outlines a compelling case for Muslims to vote. The statement, signed by imams from Islam’s diverse theological traditions, says that ‘Muslims have an obligation to join hands with others to elect those who will seek the common good.’ The joint statement observes that the forthcoming General Election is an ideal opportunity for voters to reconnect and hold to account their representatives. It is imperative for Muslims to vote on issues that concern them as citizens’. The Muslim Council of Britain urges mosques to convey this message to Muslim congregations at Friday prayers until polling day.

The historic statement also acknowledges the erosion of trust in our democracy as a result of the Expenses Scandal. However, Muslim leaders urge all voters to resist ‘any tendencies towards apathy’. The statement urges Muslims to seize the opportunity: “Muslims should still exercise their judgement and use the opportunity to vote for trustworthy candidates. Candidates who they believe will represent their needs and values better than others, and honourably discharge their duty to seek the common good in a spirit of public service. This election is critical to the health of the parliament.”

With this historic unity statement, the Muslim Council of Britain kicks off a programme of activities ahead of the General Election. While maintaining its non-partisan stand on politics, the MCB will be encouraging British Muslims to play a full part in the democratic and civic life of our country. The MCB will also highlight those public policy issues that will affect Muslims in the next few years.

“Iranian nation will never submit to the US’ old hues and cry, firmly insisting on its absolute nuclear rights and being resolved to give decisive response to foolish and maniacal moves of the enemy of the system,” Ayatollah Khatami said, addressing a large and fervent congregation of people on Tehran University campus.

Congratulating the National Day of Nuclear Technology, Ayatollah Khatami said Iranian nation will slap enemies of the system, who speak to the country with the language of threat and intimidation, strongly in the face.

“If enemy takes any measure out of foolishness and wants to threaten the country in action, the Iranian nation will give a strong response to its lunatic move and send them deep into quagmire,” Ayatollah Khatami warned.

He went on to say that Iranian nation does not seek nuclear arms; this is not because it fears and scared of the enemies of the system; rather it is because Islam does not give such a permission.

The cleric further noted that nuclear energy, which has medical and agricultural applications and is also used for energy generation, is the absolute right of the Iranian nation and it will not back down even one iota from its rights and is resolved to stand firm.

A militant group linked to al-Qaeda in Iraq has said it was behind Sunday’s triple bombings in Baghdad which killed 40 people near foreign embassies.

According to Ahlul Bayt News Agency (ABNA.ir), Islamic State of Iraq said in a statement posted on the internet that it had attacked the Iranian, German, and Egyptian missions.

It said embassies and organisations working with Iraq’s government would top its target list.

But it denied involvement in six blasts killing 35 in Shia areas on Tuesday.

The statement regarding Tuesday’s attacks, which hit residential buildings, was posted on the internet separately, the monitoring group SITE said.

Sunday’s attacks shattered a period of relative calm after last month’s parliamentary elections.

‘Themed’ bombings

The first two bombs went off within about a minute of one another, in Mansour – a fairly smart suburb on the western side of the city, housing many embassies.

The Egyptian, German, Iranian and Syrian missions were all affected by the blasts.

Another minute or so later, a third suicide bomber blew his car up near the Iranian embassy, closer to the city centre.

With security tight around the embassies, many of the dead and injured were people in the nearby streets and buildings.

A number of Iraqi guards working for foreign missions were among those killed. Egypt said several of its staff were wounded by shrapnel.

Spain said its embassy and the adjacent German mission were also damaged.

The Yemeni government and northern Hauthis reached a cease-fire agreement in February. But the truce contains no accountability provisions, said Human Rights Watch, which called on both sides to investigate the allegations.

“In many cases these violations are wrapped up in the grievances that have fueled the conflict to begin with,” said Joe Stork, deputy director for the Middle East at HRW.

He called for independent probes of alleged “serious laws of war violations” in order to sustain the truce and to prevent a repeat of crimes should the cease-fire break down.

The report by the New York-based watchdog, released in Dubai, outlines a series of alleged abuses based on interviews conducted with civilians and aid workers in October. HRW officials said they wanted to release the report in the Yemeni capital San’a but were not granted visas by the authorities.

Allegations include indiscriminate bombing and shelling by government forces, and on-the-spot executions and the use of human shields by Houthis. HRW also accuses both sides of using child soldiers.

Both the Yemeni government and the Houthis declined to comment on the HRW report.

Houthis have fought Yemen’s government sporadically for years, complaining of neglect and sectarian discrimination. Fighting flared up again last August before coming to a halt earlier this year.

The cease-fire deal reached in February _ one of several truces signed over the course of the six-year conflict _ calls on the Shia Houthis to disarm and release captured soldiers and property.

Human Rights Watch said it based the 54-page report on interviews with civilians who witnessed fighting in Yemen’s northern Saada and Amran provinces, as well as with humanitarian aid workers. The fighting has displaced tens of thousands of civilians since 2004.

Christoph Wilcke, one of the report’s authors, said the government blocked researchers from visiting the scene of the fighting and sites of alleged crimes. He said that HRW letters sent to both sides, outlining the findings and requesting additional information, received no response.

The group called on the United Nations to renew efforts to set up a human rights monitoring office in Yemen, and to provide more aid to refugees who fled the fighting. It also urged donor nations, such as the U.S. and Arab Gulf countries, to press both sides in Yemen to abide by international humanitarian law and push for investigations of alleged crimes.

In addition to the conflict with the Hawthis, Yemen’s weak central government has struggled to contain separatists in the south and a threat from al-Qaida militants who have set up operations in the country, the poorest in the Arab world.

in an address read to tens of thousands of supporters at a rally to mark the seventh anniversary of the overthrow of Saddam Hussein, Sadr said that without Iraqi unity “the occupation and its advocates will stay in Iraq without fear.”

“You, the Sunnis of Iraq, joined hands with the Shias to liberate our country. Do not let the [US] occupation or any unjust law made by it deter you from doing that,” he said in the address read by aide Hazem al-Araji.

The United States has almost 100,000 troops in Iraq but they are largely on bases away from cities. Washington has said it will withdraw all troops by the end of 2011.

“We don’t want them [Americans] to stay in our country, let them leave,” said Hussein Muhammad, 30, who journeyed to the Shia holy city of Najaf, 160 km (100 miles) south of Baghdad, from the southern city of Basra for the rally.

Sadr, a Shia who is studying in Iran and is part of the Shia Iraqi National Alliance (INA), is a major factor as politicians try to form a government after inconclusive elections last month.

As part of political negotiations, INA has held merger talks with the State of Law coalition of Shia Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. State of Law finished just two seats behind former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi’s cross-sectarian Iraqiya list in the 325-seat parliament. Sadrists won around 40 seats, the best showing of any party in the INA.

Philippine, Zamboanga City – the Project of building the Masjid Imam al Mahdi (as) and Madrasah Ahlul Bayt (As) left incomplete, unfortunately.

the masjid had a very old wooden building. Approximately two years ago, someone came and pledge funding for reconstruction of the building which houses the Masjid and Madrasah. Unfortunately after economic crisis the donor left without a word. The work on the masjid/madrasah which was almost 10% done was left with unfinished columns and beams. For the last approximately two years the Jumaat Prayer had been put on hold. The 50+ students have been living in the unfinished building and studying.  

The whole project cost 15.5 Million pesos which is approximately US$337,000. The amount that had been raised is approximately US$144,000 which is still US$193,000 short to complete the project. The project is undertaken by the Ahlul Bayt Philippines Islamic Assembly headed by Hujjatul Islam Haj Sheikh Denil Anawari.  

Why is it important that this project is supported?

This is the only school that educates the youths to become religious leaders and guidance in the Philippines. There are approximately 50 male and 30 female students presently in the school. Since the students come from various cities and islands which are far away, they live and study in the masjid compound. For more than 14 years the school has produced few hundred students who have become teachers and preachers. This contributed to the enormous growth in number of converts to Shiasm.

There are now approximately 8 centers of activities in around Zamboanga City. Small activity centers in the form of rooms and small masjid. The students from the madrasah are mobilized to teach in these centers. Classes for children and adults are conducted. In a center in San Antonio there is only a small room which serves as a classroom. There are three classes the 7-8pm, 8-9pm and 9-10pm classes for the different age groups. Sometimes the class is occupied by the 7-8pm class while the children for the 8-9pm and 9-10pm classes were already waiting outside the classroom waiting for the 7-8pm class to end and start their class. 

some photos of this Shia Center:

Another meeting joined on Thursday night Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah and the head of the Democratic Gathering MP Walid Jumblatt, the first since the latter achieved his much-awaited visit to the Syrian capital and his meeting with Syrian President Bachar Assad.
 
According to a statement released by Hezbollah media relations, Sayyed Nasrallah received Jumblatt and assessed with him his visit to Syria on March 31 and its positive impact on the return to natural ties between Lebanon and Syria. Jumblatt thanked Sayyed Nasrallah for his mediation and the efforts he paid to achieve the visit to Damascus and the meeting with Assad.
 
Both leaders renewed commitment to the national stances, mainly the choice of Resistance in the face of the ongoing Israeli threats to Lebanon and the necessity to support it. They also discussed the “economic situation and expressed common interest to support the Lebanese citizen rights to decent living.”
 
The meeting between Sayyed Nasrallah and Jumblatt also touched on the issue of the relations between Hezbollah and the Progressive Socialist Party where the two sides stressed the need to “enhance cooperation between them in order to consolidate coexistence and national unity.”
 
Hezbollah Secretary General also received the head of the municipality of Sidon Abdul-Rahman al-Bizri. The meeting, attended by the member of Hezbollah politburo Hajj Mahmud Qmati, discussed the latest developments in Lebanon, mainly in the South.

Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Baqir Al-Sadr was amongst the greatest thinkers, philosophers and religious scholars in the last century. His writings and his leadership inspired generations of Iraqis to resist oppression and fight for freedom. He challenged not only those who suppress religion, but also the so-called religious who suppress critical thought and    development. It was he who was the driving force behind the creation of the Islamic Dawa Party.

Mohammad Baqir Al-Sadr was born in Kadhimiya, Baghdad, on 1st March 1935. At the age of two, his father, the scholar Haider Al-Sadr, died. After completing primary school in Kadhimiya, Al-Sadr and his family moved to Najaf in 1945, where he spent the rest of his life. He joined the Hawza (seminary of Islamic studies) at the early age of 13, quickly emerging as an exceptionally gifted student, who rose to the level of a ‘mujtahid’ or profound scholar at the extraordinary age of 20. During these years Al-Sadr published some of his most celebrated works, including ‘Our philosophy’ and ‘Our Economy’, which remain influential in many circles, including foreign governments.

In 1957, Al-Sadr and a number of other scholars established the Islamic Dawa Party (IDP). To this day, his writings remain among the main sources for the Party’s inspiration, in particular the Party’s political ideology based on Wilayat Al-Umma (Governance of the people). Al-Sadr and other IDP members continued their educational work at a time of increasing communist activity, organizing lectures and social events for the public.

In the early seventies, Al-Sadr realized the dangers posed by the Baath regime for Iraq. He remained fearless and steadfast, continuing his educational programmes and activities. On the other hand, the Baath regime also realized the importance of Al-Sadr and his effect on the Iraqi people, therefore using all possible means to halt his activities. His arrests were inevitable. He was arrested in 1971, 1974, 1977 and in 1979. They also arrested and executed many of his students and colleagues as Saddam Hussain himself ordered the immediate arrest and execution of all IDP members. The 1979 arrest brought about many demonstrations and anger from the Iraqi people, forcing the regime to release Al-Sadr from prison and placing him under house arrest. After spending a few months under house arrest, he was finally arrested on the 5th April 1980, when he and his sister, Amina Al-Sadr, were taken and never seen alive thereafter. After days of torture, they were both executed on 9th April 1980. Al-Sadr’s graveyard now stands in holy city of Najaf.

In the last months before his execution, Al-Sadr famously delivered three important ‘Calls’ or sermons to the Iraqi people. Whilst being short in length, they covered many aspects, from the need for all Iraqi religious sects and ethnicities to unite in the battle for freedom, to his attempts to cause splits within the Baath party ranks and to win the support of moderate members from the lower echelons.

Five key themes can be extracted:

1. His outspokenness against the oppressive and dictatorial rule of Saddam

2. His calls for establishing democracy, and granting freedom and human rights to the Iraqi people

3. His calls for a united opposition from all segments of the Iraqi population

4. His appeal to low-ranking Baath party members

5. His pledge to continue his emphatic opposition despite the death threats he received from Saddam

Speaking against Oppression and Dictatorship

Imam Mohammed Baqir Al-Sadr’s and Dawa’s struggle against the Baathist regime centred on the oppressive and totalitarian nature of Saddam’s rule. Al-Sadr continuously called for an end to the ruthless tools of oppression utilised by Al-Mukhabart (The Iraqi intelligence unit), and to the dictatorial rule imposed on the Iraqi people.

In his ‘First Call’, he warned:

“And I would like to reiterate that this regime that was forced upon with the force of fire and steel on the Iraqi people and which denied them some of their most basic rights and freedoms…will not continue”

This was manifested in a challenge which he offered directly and which was of course refused:

“And if the ruling elite wanted to know the real face of the Iraqi people, let them freeze all their tools of oppression and let them allow the people to express themselves freely for one week only!”

Calling for Democracy, Freedom and Human Rights

Instead of a Baathist regime which denied Iraqis their most fundamental freedoms and rights, Al-Sadr envisioned a free and democratic Iraq. His opposition to the regime culminated in his advocacy of such a vision and his direct calls to that effect.

Thus, in his ‘First Call’, he called for the holding of free and fair elections:

“And I call you (members of the ruling Baath regime) to stop the forcing of people to join the Baath party on all levels. In the name of human dignity and rights, I call on you to release all those imprisoned arbitrarily… in your name and all those you represent, I call on you to give the Iraqi nation the freedom to fulfil its right to run its affairs through holding free and fair elections and which results in the formation of a parliament that is truly representative of all of Iraq.”

A unified people, a unified opposition

From his early days of activism on the social and political level, Mohammed Baqir Al-Sadr sought to appeal to all Iraqi groupings, regardless of which sect, ethnicity, or tribe they belonged to, or whether they were religious or secular. This was manifested in much of his writings and speeches, where he addressed Iraqis without prejudice or distinction. This was to become the mission of the Islamic Dawa Party when it was formed, and through the party and through keynote speeches, Al-Sadr sought to inspire a united opposition from all Iraqis.

In his ‘Third Call’, he tried to expose Saddam’s strategy of trying to paint himself as the leader of Iraqi Sunnis:

“The tyrant Saddam and his followers are trying to persuade our sons from the Sunna that the question is one about Shia’s and Sunnis, and are trying to separate the Sunna away from their real fight against our common enemy (dictatorship).”

He thus called on all Iraqi people to unite as one in opposing Saddam arguing that this was the only way Iraqis can win back their freedoms and rights and reclaim the dignity of their country that had been ravaged by Saddam’s Baath party.

“Oh my dear people of Iraq, Oh great nation, as I call on you in these times of great adversity, I am calling on all, from Arabs to Kurds, Shias and Sunnis. For our struggle is not restricted to any one sect over another, or any one ethnicity over another- it is a struggle for all the Iraqi people and so it is for all of Iraq that we must stand together, brave and defiant”

Outreach to Baath party members

Ayatullah Mohammed Baqir Al-Sadr worked to separate lower-ranking members of the Baath party from senior members responsible for much of the machinery of government including Al-Mukhabarat in an attempt to create dissent amongst party ranks and cause Saddam to loosen his grip on his party. Thus, even in his third and what ultimately was his last call to the Iraqi people, he appealed to these members saying:

“These tyrants have insulted even the dignity of the Arab Socialist Baath movement, having worked to transform it from an ideological movement and party to a gang which recruits members and inspires allegiance through force and hatred…They have felt afraid of even their own party, which they claim to represent. They have felt afraid from it if it were to remain a true party with its bases among the population. This is why they are destroying its base of support and supplanting it with torture and hatred so that it loses any ideological content.”

Continuing the struggle

Imam Mohammed Bair Al-Sadr recognised very clearly that his continued opposition to Saddam, and his open criticism of the regime’s denial of rights and freedoms to the Iraqi people would ultimately cost him his life. But rather than be silenced, he chose to continue and to make from the continued threats he received personally from Saddam and Uday a point of inspiration, rather than trepidation. It is Saddam who is afraid, he said time and time again: for why else did he want us silenced?

This theme was common in all of his three calls:

“I am aware that these requests will cost me dearly, and may cost me my life, but these requests are the feelings of a nation, the demands of a nation and the will of a nation that cannot die.”

(Extract from his ‘First Call’)

He also believed that it was the responsibility of all Iraqis like himself to continue the struggle for freedom and a rule based on the Islamic principles of liberty, equality and justice:

“It is the duty of every Iraqi in or outside Iraq to give everything he has, and even if it may cost him his life, for the sake of continuing the struggle against the nightmare which has befallen on the heart of beloved Iraq, and liberating it from this inhumane gang and providing virtuous and honourable governance based on the values and principles of Islam.”

(Extract from his ‘Second Call’)

Sadr’s last words to the Iraqi people

Imam Al-Sadr concluded his historical third speech with these poignant words which were to become his last to the Iraqi people…

“…Oh my brothers from the sons of Mosul and Basra, from the sons of Baghdad, Karbala and Najaf, from the sons of Samarra and Kadhimiya… from the sons of Amara, Kout and Sulaimainia…from the sons of Iraq from every region, my promise to you is that I am yours, that I am for you all, and that you all are my goal in the present and in the future. So let your words unite, and your lines join as one under the banner of Islam: for the sake of saving Iraq from the nightmare of this group of tyrants, and for the cause of building a free and dignified Iraq, ruled by the justice of Islam and where human dignity and rights are supreme, and where all citizens, from different ethnicities and sects, feel that they are brothers working together- all of them- in leading their country, rebuilding their nation, and realising their higher Islamic values based on our true message and great history.

And let the peace and blessings of God be upon you all.”

(Final Words, Third Call)

Amina al-Sadr

It was one morning in Najaf in 1979 when Baath Party officials arrested Muhammed Baqir al-Sadr, one of the founders and prominent leaders of the Islamic Dawa Party. An emotional yet resolute woman ran to Imam Ali mosque in Najaf and called out, “Oh people! Why are you silent while your leader has been arrested? Why are you silent while your leader is in prison being tortured? Come out and

demonstrate…” These powerful words influenced hundreds to join a mass demonstration protesting against the arrest of al-Sadr and demanding his immediate release. As a result, al-Sadr was consequently released from prison that day.

This demonstration sent a clear message of opposition to the Baath regime. It also motivated and encouraged people to stand firm and united, men and women, against Saddam’s tyranny. During the peak of this oppression, this resolute woman named Amina al-Sadr, the sister of Muhammed Baqir al-Sadr, stood fearlessly against the constant intimidation and abuse of the Baath regime. In her short-lived life, she would inspire an entire generation of men and women to do the same.

Amina al-Sadr was born in al-Kadhimiya, Baghdad in 1937. Being the only girl in her family, she was also too young to remember her father, the scholer Haider al-Sadr who died during her childhood. As part of a poor family, Amina was primarily educated at home by her mother, and then later by her brother Muhammed Baqir. She developed a talent for reading and writing at a young age, which would later, as the leader of the women’s branch of the Islamic Dawa party, allow her to play an instrumental role in the publications of the party. In 1966, she began writing in al-Adhwaa magazine, and was one of its main contributors. Amina al-Sadr’s ability to eloquently articulate the concerns of the masses made her an influential woman in Iraq. Her prolific writings made her very popular, particularly among women who were unable to express their sentiments in such a way. As well as this, she was always readily available to help solve women’s family problems and to answer a variety of religious questions.

Amina al-Sadr is renowned for her dedication to education and learning. In 1967, she helped establish several schools for girls in Baghdad and Najaf and played a principal role in running them as the headmaster. She authored many books, many of which were fictional stories that dealt with the social problems of her time. Many of her themes were directly relevant to the struggles that women were facing in Iraq. At all times she wished to maintain a modest profile, and was reluctant to thrust herself into the limelight. For that reason, she refrained from using her real name in her books, instead adopting the pseudonym ‘Bint al-Huda’.

On 5th April 1980, Saddam decided that Amina and her brother Muhammed Baqir were a significant threat to his regime and the order was given for their arrest. Three days later, after being severely beaten and tortured, it is reported that Saddam himself shot them both dead. Her body is not found until now.

Amina al-Sadr was a channel for women to raise their concerns and worked alongside her brother Muhammed Baqir al-Sadr in championing their rights. She was a political activist as well as an educationalist. She concerned herself with the day-to-day restrictions imposed by the ruling Baath Party and campaigned on behalf of women who were affected by the constant struggles of living under tyrannical rule.

After ten months of house-arrest, Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr and Bintul Huda were arrested on the 19th of Jamaadi al-Awwal, 1400 AH (April 1980).

On the night of April 9, 1980, the Ba’athist regime cut off the electricity from the holy city of Najaf and sent a security force to the home of their cousin Sayyid Muhammad al-Sadr. Sayyid Muhammad al-Sadr went with security force back to their headquarters, where they showed him the bodies of Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr and Bintul Huda. Bathed in blood, the signs of torture were all over their bodies. Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr and Bintul Huda were buried in the Wadi as-Salam graveyard in the holy city of Najaf that same night.

Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr and Bintul Huda saw oppression and injustice around them, and they spoke up against it. In that sense, they were true followers of Imam Hussain and Lady Zainab (peace be upon them). Indeed, when Saddam was asked to spare Bintul Huda’s life, he instantly remarked, “Kill the brother and spare the sister? You want me to make the same mistake as Yazid?!”

And yet, Saddam failed to learn from the mistakes of his predecessor. By assassinating Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr and Bintul Huda, he actually helped give fresh blood to the Islamic revolutionary movements in Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Pakistan, and around the Muslim world. In their martyrdom, the two have become icons of the Shia revolutionary spirit. Leaked video footage of Saddam’s execution shows witnesses shouting “Long Live Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr!” And plastered on walls and billboards all over Iraq today, Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr’s ubiquitous image continues to echo the words of Iqbal: “The murder of Hussain is actually the death of Yazid. After each Karbala, Islam is reborn.”

The United States has ordered the assassination of Anwar al-Awlaki a Yemeni cleric, over alleged links to a failed Christmas airline bombing in Detroit.

Citing unnamed US officials, The Washington Post reported Wednesday that US President Barack Obama’s administration has authorized the CIA to capture and kill Awlaki.

Al-Awlaki, 38, was born in New Mexico and spent years as an imam in Virginia, before moving to Yemen.

The report claims, he has moved from the category of being militant preacher to becoming an operational figure in al-Qaeda in Yemen.

Al-Awlaki is charged with ties to an alleged failed attack on a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas Day.

The Rasul Azam (great prophet (PBUH) Mosque launched in a ceremony attended by the region’s Shia figures and scholars.

Hojat-ol-Islam Fuzi As-Seyf, a Shia scholar, delivered a lecture at the function featuring the important role of mosques in raising Muslims’ awareness and vigilance. Poetry reading by Yasir Al-Gharib and reciting eulogies for Ahl-ul-Bayt (AS) were among other programs at the ceremony.

Safwa is a Shia-dominated city located north of Qatif and south of Jubail. It has a population of 70,000.

The aid to the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei, Sayyed Mojtaba Zolnoor, threatened that the Islamic Republic will strike Tel Aviv with its missiles if it comes under attack, Fars news agency reported on Tuesday.

“If the enemy takes its chance and fires a missile towards Iran, the dust from an Iranian missile strike will rise in the heart of Tel Aviv even before the dust from the enemy attack settles” in Iran, said Sayyed Zolnoor, who is Sayyed Khamenei’s representative in the elite Revolutionary Guards.

Fars reported that Zolnoor made the comments at a mosque late Monday, where he also said Iran’s foes were aware that Tehran “has become a ballistic power.”

Iran has regularly boasted of its missile capability to face any possible attack from the Zionist entity, saying it has an arsenal which can strike regional arch-foe Israel.

World Shia Leader said Tuesday the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) should focus on its primary objective of defending the Palestinians as a Zionist plot to drive them out of their homes unravels.

In a meeting with government officials and prominent scientific and political figures, Imam Seyyed Ali Khamenei said recent developments in the occupied Palestinian lands reflect the signs of a “dangerous plot” by Tel Aviv against the Palestinians.

“De-Islamisation of Islamic works, incidents at Ibrahimic Mosque and the driving of Muslims out of their homes are a dangerous plot which is unfolding before the eyes of a Muslim world that has been engaged with trivial matters,” the Leader said.

The remarks come at a time when the Israeli regime has stepped up a campaign to expand illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian lands in defiance of international opposition and UN Security Council resolutions.

Moreover, Israeli forces in recent months have shut down the al-Aqsa mosque to Palestinian worshippers and damaged Islamic properties on the site, attacking, killing and arresting protesters.

Imam Khamenei said the OIC should make serious efforts to unite Muslims against Israel.

“[Thus], the Organization of the Islamic Conference, which was essentially established to uphold the rights of the Palestinians, should fulfill its duty in defending Palestine and uniting the Muslim world against the mischievous moves of the Zionists,” the Leader said.

Imam Khamenei described the potentials of the Muslim world in countering “the evil acts and greediness of the Zionists” as very high, reiterating that the strength of the Muslim world is not limited to oil. “Rather, the Muslims possess the biggest market for consumer goods, as well as the world’s most vital routes and pathways.”

He said the Muslim world can achieve its “rightful aspirations” by merely sticking to reason and sound political interactions in the world.

The detainees were held in a central prison in the western province of al-Hodeidah, said the ministry.

“The release of the 54 Houthi followers came upon high-level governmental directives,” the ministry said in a statement posted on its website.

The Yemeni government and Shia Houthi reached a ceasefire agreement on Feb. 11 on ending sporadic battles in northern Yemen which had started since 2004.

The Yemeni government accused Houthis of seeking to re-establish the clerical rule overthrown by the 1962 Yemeni revolution which yielded the Yemeni republic.

Meanwhile, in the southern troubled province of al-Dhalee, the center of independence-seeking Southern Movement, some 18 suspected followers of the Southern Movement were released on Monday by the security authorities.

The Interior Ministry said “the 18 southerners were detained on March 27 for involving in armed riots, anti-government activities and raising anti-unity flags in a funeral procession for a man killed in a separatist protest earlier last month.”

Northern and southern Yemen were unified in 1990 according to a deal between the People’s General Congress and the Yemeni Socialist Party. However, the deal fell apart, leading to a crisis between the two allies, which developed into a civil war in 1994.

Nowadays, voices rise in South Yemen where secessionist sentiments are simmering, calling for disengagement from the north and the restoration of the southern state.

Amnesty International sheds light on the suffering inflicted upon civilians in northern Yemen during the joint Saudi-Yemeni offensive against the country’s Houthis.

Photos taken last month by independent sources in and around the town of al-Nadir show the devastation civilian communities in the Sa’ada region went through during Saudi airstrikes against Houthi fighters in Yemen.

“This is a largely invisible conflict that has been waged behind closed doors. These images reveal the true scale and ferocity of the bombing and the impact it had on the civilians caught up in it,” Philip Luther, deputy director of Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa program said on Tuesday.

“This information has only now come to light through Yemenis who fled the conflict and have reached other parts of the country,” he added.

The photos show damaged or destroyed market places, mosques, gas stations, businesses, a school, a power plant, a health center and dozens of homes, Luther said.

In August 2009, Sana’a launched a huge military operation to crush the resistance by Houthi fighters — who accuse the central government of repression and discrimination against the country’s Shia minority — in the north, mostly in Sa’ada province.

The Saudi military, to assist government forces, entered the scene in November with heavy airstrikes and repeated ground incursions in the beleaguered north Yemen, which continued up to days before Sana’a and the Houthis signed a ceasefire deal in February 2010.

Riyadh insisted the attacks were carried out in areas lying on its border with Yemen, but the Houthis accused the Saudi army of targeting civilians in villages deep inside Yemeni territory, at times with forbidden white phosphorus bombs.

“These images reveal the true scale and ferocity of the bombing and the impact it had on the civilians caught up in it,” Luther said.

The pictures further prove testimony given by many witnesses who had fled Sa’ada to Amnesty International delegates in Yemen earlier this month. They repeatedly said that Saudi Arabian airstrikes were clearly different from earlier Yemeni military attacks and were of an intensity and power not experienced before.

Under international humanitarian law, the deliberate targeting of civilian objects, as well as indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks on civilians, is forbidden during conflicts and amount to war crimes.

According to the United Nations, more than 250,000 residents of Sa’ada were displaced in the conflict in northern Yemen.

It is the greatest and first indigenously designed and developed guided missile destroyer in the country which was launched at the order of the Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei in late February.

Manufacturing of the destroyer is one of the most complicated technologies in the world and the Islamic Republic of Iran is among the seven countries which have the capability to make the destroyer.

Jamaran destroyer is equipped with the most powerful sea missile codenamed ‘yakhont SS N 26′ which could destroy a giant warship.

The vessel is also equipped with modern radars and electronic warfare capabilities as well as a variety of anti-ship, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles.

Forces from the Intelligence Administration arrested the English teacher Hassan Al-Makki (30 years) from his workplace in Jubail.

Mr. Al-Makki was rushed to Khobar city and was placed under custody where he will spend few days prior to his transfer to the general prison.

Mr. Al-Makki is being accused of breaching the governmental ban on practicing Shia religious activities.

In addition to the previously arrested Shia figures on similar background, Mr. Al-Makki is the fourth victim and the youngest among all four.

Saudi authorities closed nine Shia mosques in the cities of Khobar, Ras Tanura, Khafji and Abqaiq.

Saudi authorities put surveillance on several “mosques possible” areas and have detained several Shia citizens for hosting Jama’a prayers in their houses.

It should be noted here that Emara vice Prince Jalawi bin Abdulaziz and Emara Prince Office manager Zareb Al-Qahtani informed Shia delegation to utilize Sunni mosques when they went complaining about closure of their own mosques.

Yet, when Shia citizen followed Emara instruction and performed prayers in Sunni mosques, they were detained by authorities!

During a meeting that was held in Qatif and was attended by several public, social and religious figures from around Saudi, Mr. Al-Nimer highlighted that Saudi Shia citizens are deprived from their basic rights.

Mr. Al-Nimer, further explained, that Saudi Shia citizens in Dammam and Khobar are not allowed to have their own mosques, religious hall (Hussainya) and cemeteries.

“This is not normal at all.” Mr. Al-Nimer added.

Saudi authorities closed nine Shia mosques in the cities of Khobar, Ras Tanura, Khafji and Abqaiq.

Saudi authorities put surveillance on several “mosques possible” areas and have detained several Shia citizens for hosting Jama’a prayers in their houses.

It should be noted here that Emara vice Prince Jalawi bin Abdulaziz and Emara Prince Office manager Zareb Al-Qahtani informed Shia delegation to utilize Sunni mosques when they went complaining about closure of their own mosques.

Yet, when Shia citizen followed Emara instruction and performed prayers in Sunni mosques, they were detained by authorities!

Hasmik Hakupian, the Armenian woman, converted to Islam, said Shahadatain in the presence of Amol’s Friday prayer leader in North Iran.

 after becoming Muslim, she changed her name to Fatima.

“In the last few years, I’ve been participating in educational Quranic classes with my friends. The spiritual atmosphere of these classes was introduction for me to convert to Islam”, Fatima said.

“The most important element of my accepting Islam was participating to mourning of Ahlul Bayt and presentation in holy shrines of Ahlul Bayt (PBUH)”, she added.

“Despite propagandas in West, Islam does not restrict women” Fatima said at the end.

In a meeting with high-ranking members of the Islamic system, the Leader said all elements of the government should work together in order to assist the Ahmadinejad administration in providing people with service.

“In the current situation, faced the fifth development plan, the officials are dealing with many obligations, which requires coordination and harmony,” Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The remarks came as the Parliament (Majlis) and the government are moving to iron out the details of the subsidy reform plan approved by the lawmakers.

Imam Khamenei said “harmony” and “unity” can be achieved even at a time, when there are different views on a subject.

“The meaning of harmony amongst officials is not overlooking different tastes; [as they] along with scientific and expertly discussions pave the way for progress,” the Leader said. “But these different views should not result in impeding the progress or sidetracking from its path.”

On the subsidy bill, Ayatollah Khamenei asked the Parliament and the government to remove obstacles in the way of implementing the plan.

The officials of the Islamic establishment should realize their important responsibility, the Leader said. “We should act in a way that we can answer before God for our actions.”

The New York City Bar is featuring a program that will examine Shariah, the law of Islam on Wednesday, April 21, at the NYC Bar, 42 West 44th Street in New York City. The session will run from 6:30 until 9:00 p.m.

Attendees will learn that before the Common Law of England and the Civil Law of France, even before the Law Merchant, there was the Shariah, the law of Islam. The program will address its key features and how they relate and compare to the bodies of law attorneys already know. The speakers will explain the development of Islamic Law from the revelation of the Quran through 1,000 A.D.

The topics include an explanation of the Sunni-Shi’a schism, the basic tenets of Islamic Law (Shari’a) and jurisprudence (usul al-fiqh), the similarities and differences from prior Roman Law and post-Enlightenment Western law, and the basic elements of modern Islamic finance.

The moderator for this program is Robert Michael, chair, Subcommittee on Islamic Law, Committee on Foreign and Comparative law, at-large member, Council on International Affairs. Other speakers will be announced shortly.

RIYADH: Authorities in Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia have arrested several Shia community leaders in the Eastern Province for hosting Shias worship services in their homes, an activist said Tuesday. 

According to Ahlu Bayt News Agency (ABNA.ir), a 30-year old school teacher was detained on Monday in Al-Khobar, where three other Shias were arrested a week earlier for private services on the Ashura holiday last December, said Ibrahim Mugaiteeb of the Human Rights First Society. 

The arrests follow more than a year of tensions in the Eastern Province over permits for new Shia mosques in the region. 

Authorities have shut down several makeshift Shia mosques and refused a mosque permit for the 20,000-strong Al-Khobar Shia community, according to Mugaiteeb. 

“They cannot have their own mosques, and they can’t pray in a Sunni mosque,” he told AFP. “They are not allowed to have prayers in the streets.” 

He said that three of those arrested were from the same al-Maki family: Hassan Ali al-Maki, the teacher arrested Monday, Abdullah Fahad al-Maki, 73, and Hassan Ali al-Maki, 45.

The fourth man was Mahdi Ahmad al-Khodhair, 64, and all were arrested March 29, Mugaiteeb said.

Mainly concentrated in the Eastern Province, Shia’s constitute around 10 percent of the population of Saudi Arabia.

The violence is stoking fears that security in Iraq could dissolve as the country’s political leaders scramble to secure enough support to form a government after last month’s elections failed to produce a clear winner.

Monday’s shooting happened around 2:30 p.m. some 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Baghdad, police commander Maj. Aziz al-Amarah said. The gunmen shot four children — aged 11, 10, 9 and 6 — and their parents. Two teenage daughters escaped.

“I was with my sister upstairs when three men knocked on the door,” 18-year-old Amina said. She said the gunmen asked her father about someone, and he responded that he had no link to him.

She and her 16-year-old sister fled to the next house when the shooting started, Amina said.

The killings come after two other recent bloody attacks.

Col. Ben Danner, a U.S. military spokesman in Iraq, said the attacks on Friday and Sunday have no connection to the sectarian bloodshed that plagued Iraq in 2006 and 2007.

“These were not sectarian attacks,” Danner said, saying investigations indicate the killings in a village were part of a revenge attack on those who supported the Iraqi security forces. Sunday’s suicide bombings, he said, were a terrorist attack and not sectarian

Police raided the house where the Iranian citizen was in custody, rescuing the abducted person.

The abductors had asked for $50,000 from relatives of the individual they held in order to release him, police said.

The young man had come to Zaranj city in Nimrouz from northwestern Iran two years ago. He was held captive in a house over the past two years.

One of the abductors has been arrested after the raid. The released person will be handed over to the Iranian consulate in Herat city.

Most of the abductions in Nimrouz province are due to poor economic conditions rather than for political motives.

The Iran Faraz oil tanker was sailing from the southern Iranian port city of Bushehr to Izmir in Turkey when it came under attack by four pirate boats.

Pirates fled when Iran’s Navy ships in the area started to chase the boats, Mehr said.

Iran Faraz continued its journey towards Izmir after the incident, the report added.

The Iranian Navy has been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the key commercial shipping lane since November 2008. The last Iranian fleet was dispatched to the pirate-infested waters last month.

Somalia’s nearly 5,000-kilometer-long coast has been the scene of 215 pirate attacks on ships crossing the waterway in 2009.

In 2009, $48.4 million was paid in ransom for the release of a total of 46 hijacked vessels.