Thousands of Saudis attend Shiite human rights activist funeral

/in /by

Thousands of People in Saudi Arabia have held a funeral for a pro-democracy activist who was killed by Saudi forces.

According to reports on Tuesday, thousands of people attended the mourning ceremony organized for anti-government protester Bassem Ali al-Qadehi who died of his injuries in a hospital on Tuesday, days after he was shot by Saudi forces in the country’s restive Qatif region.

During the funeral procession, the mourners denounced Saudi Arabia for its violent crackdown on the peaceful demonstrations in the country.

al-Qadehi was among a group of protesters who were attacked on Friday at a peaceful demonstration in support of senior Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, who himself was attacked and arrested in the Qatif region in July 2012.

A Saudi court has recently sentenced Sheikh Nimr to death. However, the enforcement of the ruling has been postponed.

There have been numerous demonstrations in Saudi Arabia’s oil-rich Eastern Province since 2011, with the protestors calling for political reform and an end to widespread discrimination. Several people have been killed and many others have been injured or arrested during the demonstrations.

The Persian Gulf monarchy has come under fire from international human rights organizations, which have criticized it for failing to address the rights situation in the kingdom. Critics say the country shows zero-tolerance toward dissent.

In January, Joe Stork, the deputy director of the Middle East and North Africa division for Human Right Watch, slammed Saudi Arabia’s crackdown on activists in the kingdom.

“Saudi Arabia should free imprisoned activists and take other concrete, visible steps to show the government is willing to improve its abysmal rights record,” Stork said.

Stork also questioned the election of Saudi Arabia as a member of the Human Rights Council in November last year, saying that Riyadh has a record of repression and its membership is not fit.










/129

Karbala Friday Prayer

/in /by

Second part of the Friday Sermon held in the Imam Hussein holy shrine, the representative of the Islamic Supreme Religious Authority and the preacher of the Friday Sermon in Kerbala city, His Eminence Sayyed Ahmed Es-Safi mentioned four important points:

First: The danger of terror and terrorism should be taken very seriously and there should not be any negligence towards it. The reason being is to strengthen the military force and raise their self confidence in order to overcome the enemy.

Second: This battle requires strong determination and a firm foundation to be performed by the military and the Iraqi-Army-Supportive armed groups. Adding to that, the soldiers and other fighters must defend one another despite the different groups and denominations and should not leave their fighting positions.

Third: All kinds of military officers should be interacting with their soldiers in the field in order to psych them up and to defend their country. The much time a leader spends with their soldiers the better performance the whole army produces. In addition, minute details should always be maintained because it may result in great loss. For this reason, there should not be any negligence and especially if it results in the loss of the life of soldiers and fighters. Hence, support such as food and drink and in any sort is strongly recommended and should be implemented.

Forth: The authorities must take the responsibilities towards the volunteers who are supporting the Iraqi army against the ISIS, support them and provide them with he statutory requirements, in addition to maintain their rights and their families’ rights. Moreover, it is obviously known that there is no reason for the military support to be delayed! Therefore, the government must provide with with everything they need because those volunteers left their homes and families in order to stand side by side with the Iraqi army towards a better country.

/129

Gratitude letter to Imam Hussein And His Brother al-Abass

/in /by

Seleem El-She’rbaf, a father of an ill child headed for Karbala in order to hang a letter of gratitude to the Imam Hussein and the El-Abbas (Peace Be Upon Them) for the healing of his son Yasir.

The letter has been hung in the area between the two Holy Shrines of Imam Hussein and al-Abass (Peace Be Upon Them) so as to show appreciation and thankfulness for the two Holy brothers.

It is widely known that many people whose ill members of their families from around the globe also send their appreciation to Imam Hussein and al-Abass by offering gifts, money, food, and other goods for the healing of their siblings. Besides, all those votive offerings are directly handed to the management of the Imam Hussein and the El-Abbas Holy Shrines in order to offer them as food to the pilgrims.

The reason behind this admiration is due to the miraculous healing power of the Almighty Allah granted to the ill for the sake of Ahlul-Bayte (Peace Be Upon Them) in which it is one of the supreme reputes of Imam Hussein and aL-Abass (Peace Be Upon Them) that they are known for.

/129

Ayatollah Makarem: “Muslim scholars must unite and introduce pure Islam to overcome Takfirism”

/in /by

Ayatollah Naser Makarem-Shirazi has met with the director and members of the Indonesian Ahlul-Bayt Association and explained that the best way to overcome the sedition being spread by Takfiri groups is for all Muslim scholars to unite and introduce pure Islam to them. “The Takfiri phenomenon has tarnished the image of Islam by the crimes they have committed in the name of Islam,” he explained.

He explained that the Takfiris have attacked all religions said stated that all Muslim scholars must deny the seditious ideas of these dangerous groups and emphasize to the entire world that Islam is a religion of compassion and kindness and that the Takfiri terrorists brutish actions have nothing to do with Islam. The renowned source of emulation stated that enemies of Islam have introduced the Takfiri terrorist group ISIL as “Muslim terrorists” to the world: “In their media broadcasts they deliberately refer to ISIL as the Islamic State. However, they are not a state and they are not Islamic.”

In another part of his speech, Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi explained Hadith ath-Thaqalayn (Narration of the Two Weighty Things), and stated: “We Shi’ites should act on this will of the Prophet Muhammad (S) in the prescribes matter and also in other [divine] commands. In this narration, the Prophet Muhammad (S) stated: ‘Verily, I am leaving behind two precious things among you: the Book of God and my Ahlul-Bayt (A), for indeed, the two will never separate until they come back to me by the Pond (of al-Kawthar on the Day of Judgement).’”

He also pointed to the differences in the interpretation between Shi’ites and Sunnis in regard to Hadith Ghadir al-Khumm (Narration of the Pond of Khumm) saying that the Sunnis translate the world “wali” as “friend,” but that “wali” is employed in the same sense as awla bit-tasarruf, someone who has discretionary authority over all temporal and spiritual affairs. Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi pointed out that that Hadith ath-Thaqalayn has a very high and important position in Shi’ism and stated that Imam Khomeini (RA) said in his last will that we should act on this narration without any intolerance or extremism.

Ayatollah Makarem-Shirazi pointed to the fact that by the blessed guidance of the Ahlul-Bayt (A) were have been guided to this enlightened path. He added we should be thankful to God because if the Ahlul-Bayt (A) did not exist, we would not have been guided to the true path. We can show this blessed path to our Sunni brethren and give them books but we should never insult their holy personalities.

At the beginning of the meeting, one audience member described the activities of the Indonesian Ahlul-Bayt Association. He explained that the association is active in the legal defence the rights of Shi’ite Islam and Shi’ite religious publishing activities in Indonesia and added that they also fight against the Takfiri extremists. He added that with the benefit of the ethics and jurisprudence of the Ahlul-Bayt (A) and the guidelines of the great scholars of Shi’ism, they have been able to invite many Sunni Indonesians to Shi’ism and stated that there are millions of Shi’ite converts in the South Asian nation, which has the largest Muslim population in the world.

/129

Top Indonesian Scholars Visit Islamic Research Foundation of Astan Quds Razavi

/in /by

A number of Indonesian religious supreme leaders during a three-hour visit from Islamic Research Foundation of Astan Quds Razavi made familiar with scientific and research activities of this institution.

According to Astan Quds Razavi news website, in a meeting with Hujjat al-Islam Elahi Khurasani, directing manager of Islamic Research Foundation of Astan Quds Razavi, this group learnt about the books published by this scientific center and talked with some scholars and researchers present in this center.

In the verge of this visitation, Hujjat al-Islam Muhammad Fallah, deputy of research on proximity studies, affiliated to the world Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought viewed visitation of this group from Islamic Research Foundation of Astan Quds Razavi a blessed event and said, “Members of this group are first-ranked scholars of Indonesia, each engaged in scientific activities in a section and island of Indonesia and are considered representatives of people and scientific associations of that section.”

“Upon their entrance, these scholars delivered lectures on ‘role of religious scholars in Islamic unity’ in scientific meetings held in Qum city and met three respected religious authorities, Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi, Ayatollah Safi Gulpayegani, and Ayatollah Nuri Hamedani”, he expounded on visitation programs of the group.

According to Hujjat al-Islam Fallah, the scholars after taking part in Friday Prayer had a meeting with Ayatollah Alam al-Huda, Mashhad Friday Prayer Leader, and presented a report from scientific situation in Indonesia.

“Due to the broad involvement of this center in different scientific and research domains, it was included into the visitation program of this group”, deputy of research on proximity studies, affiliated to the world Forum for Proximity of Islamic Schools of Thought remarked.

“Unfortunately, lack of Shi’ite sources in Indonesia is very striking but the group’s visit has provided for feasibility of exchange of information and sources as well as scientific cooperation between the two countries”, he reiterated.

The group of Indonesian scholars signed an agreement letter with University of Religions and Schools of Thought and is going to sign agreement letters with the Ministry of Sciences and with the college of theology of Tehran University for facilitated scientific affairs.

It is notable that directing manager of Islamic Research Foundation of Astan Quds Razavi convoyed the scholars with granting religious and artistic posters and some books published by this scientific center.

/129

ISIL advancing on grandfather of the founder of Ottoman Empire’s tomb in Syria

/in /by

Turkey on Tuesday said ISIL Terrorist were advancing on a tiny exclave considered Turkish territory in northern Syria, but insisted it was still in control of the land despite reports its guards there were encircled.

The tomb of Suleyman Shah, the grandfather of the founder of the Ottoman Empire Osman I, on the Euphrates River, is Turkish territory under a 1920s treaty and still guarded by a few dozen Turkish troops.

The pro-government Yeni Safak daily had reported earlier that the 36 Turkish soldiers guarding the tomb had been overwhelmed by a group of some 1,100 ISIL Terrorists.
It suggested that the troops could now be held hostage by the Terrorists.

But Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arninc acknowledged that ISIL Terrorists were advancing on the tomb but played down speculation that the situation was critical.
Turkey has previously warned that it would consider an attack on Suleyman Shah as an attack on its sovereign territory to which it would respond in kind.

The tomb is located around 25 kilometers south of the Turkish border in northern Syria, much of which is now under the control of ISIL Terrorists.

Details of Turkey’s control of the tomb are kept mostly secret and it is not clear how Ankara keeps the guards resupplied or how its troops are moved in and out for their patrol missions.

/129

3,790 Killed Across Iraq in September

/in /by

Antiwar has determined that at least 3,790 people were killed across Iraq during September. These numbers include militants, even foreign ones, killed in Iraq. Another 1,949 were wounded.

The violence also left 126 dead and 184 wounded across Iraq on Tuesday.
 
Meanwhile, freshly equipped Peshmerga forces have apparently made a complete turnaround since losing Sinjar (Shingal in Kurdish) last month and are retaking towns and villages at a quickening pace. Further south, bombs targeting civilians in Baghdad and several Shi’ite cities left a significant number of casualties. Also, British forces conducted their first airstrikes, as the U.S. continued theirs, making this the busiest day for airstrikes across Iraq and Syria yet.

September Casualty Figures:

The number of people killed in Iraq, since the ISIL invaded in June, is impossible to accurately pin down. Various organizations have reported casualties as they occur. Only yesterday, Kurdish Peshmerga forces revealed about 200 dead and 1,000 injured during battles since early August. Militant deaths are just as difficult, especially those deep within ISIS/DAASH territory.

During September, Antiwar.com compiled at least 1,158 civilian and security member deaths. Another 1,661 were reported wounded. These should be considered the minimum available numbers. The figures will rise as more details are received from rural areas of Iraq and those under militant control. For example, a clearer, if not final, total of the number of dead in a massacre at Camp Speicher was released early in September even though the attack occurred in June. Those deaths were not included in this month’s tally.

Militant casualties reached 2,632 dead and 288 wounded, while Iraq’s military announced that they alone conducted 2,116 sorties in September. It is difficult to gauge how accurate these casualty figures are.

In August, Antiwar.com found that 4,800 were killed and 2,839 were wounded. Although the numbers seem to indicate fewer casualties, it should not be read as such, because accurate numbers simply are not available.

Peshmerga Gains in Northern Iraq:

Peshmerga forces said they were able to take control of Rabeaa, a strategic town near the Syrian border. If Peshmerga forces retain control of the city, they will have cut off a major roadway between Syria and northern Iraq and put a stranglehold on a travel by ISIL militants between the two countries. Rabeaa was one of the first cities captured in June. Fighting there and elsewhere during the last several weeks has cost the Peshmerga forces 200 lives. Another 1,000 Peshmerga were wounded, according to Peshmerga Spokesman Hikmet Mela Ali. The number of casualties on Tuesday was not given.

ISIS/DAASH militants destroyed their own headquarters and checkpoints as they fled from there and Sinjar. Fighters from the Shammar Tribe helped, and the troops may have had air cover from U.S. fighter planes during the operation. British planes also bombed northwestern Iraq. Kurdish Y.P.G. forces in Syria claimed to have contributed to the operation as well. Heavy fighting also took place in Zumer, near the Mosul dam. Several villages surrounding Rabeaa have also been liberated.

Closer to Kirkuk, the towns of Khaled, Sa’ad, Taza and Wahda were freed. Two Peshmerga were killed and 18 were wounded in the fighting.
Three car bombs blasts killed at least 13 people and wounded 41 in Shiite-dominated neighborhoods of the Iraqi capital Baghdad Tuesday, police and hospital sources said.

Today as AFP reports, ISIL fighters were closing on Ain al-Arab (known as Kobane in Kurdish) key Syrian town near the Turkish border, despite multiple US air strikes, as the Pentagon cautioned it “cannot bomb the militants into obscurity”.

IS fighters penetrated within two to three kilometers of the Syrian town of Ain al-Arab on the Turkish border, the Observatory said. It was the closest the militants had come to the town, since they began an advance nearly two weeks ago, sending tens of thousands of mostly Kurdish refugees fleeing across the border.

US warplanes launched multiple strikes against ISIL Terrorist in both Syria and Iraq Tuesday, as Britain carried out its first air raids against the group.

NATO member Turkey, after months of caution in the fight against IS, has decided to harden its policy, and the government asked parliament Tuesday to authorize military action against IS in Iraq and Syria.

/129

Deadly twin blasts near school in Syria’s Homs, 18 killed, 40 injured

/in /by

Two blasts near a school in the government-controlled central Syrian city of Homs on Wednesday left a number of people dead and injured, including children, state media said.

“Two terrorist explosions near the Akrameh al-Makhzumi school and the Zaim hospital caused deaths and injuries,” said state television.

Both the official news agency SANA and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group also reported the attacks, and said one of them had been caused by a car bomb.

“Children were among the casualties in the blasts,” said Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman, adding that it was unclear what had caused the second blast.

The blasts hit the Akrameh neighbourhood of Homs, which is home to a majority of Alawites, members of the same sect of Shiite Islam to which President Bashar al-Assad belongs.

/129

Mayor of Bell Gardens shot dead in US

/in /by

Daniel Crespo, the mayor of Bell Gardens in the US state of California, has been shot dead by his wife during a domestic dispute.

He was reportedly shot several times on Tuesday afternoon and died en route to a hospital.

Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Nicole Nishida said the 45-year-old victim was shot by his wife, Levette Crespo, 43.

Levette was questioned, but she was released without an arrest being made.

“The facts of the case will be presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office who will determine if criminal charges will be filed,” sheriff’s officials said.

State Sen. Ricardo Lara and state Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia released a joint statement on Tuesday night.

They said as representatives and residents of Bell Gardens the shooting death of Crespo was “shocking and a tremendous loss for our close-knit community.”

“Mayor Crespo was a respected public servant who dedicated his life to protecting and helping others in southeast Los Angeles and throughout the region.”

In 2001, Crespo was elected to the City Council and worked as a Los Angeles County probation officer, a job he continued to hold after becoming mayor last year.

AGB/AGB

‘700 Iraqi soldiers under ISIL siege’

/in /by

An Iraqi official in the militancy-hit Anbar province says ISIL Takfiri militants have trapped around 700 Iraqi soldiers in an area in the western part of the country.

Faleh al-Issawi deputy head of Iraq’s Anbar provincial council said on Tuesday that the Iraqi soldiers have been under siege over the past few days.

Issawi further noted the Iraqi fighter jets have conducted a number of airstrikes against the militants in the area, saying the operations, however, could not result in the lifting of the siege.

He also called on senior Iraqi officials, including Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, to replace some commanders in the Iraqi army, warning that if the Iraqi authorities do not take due measures in that regard, they will suffer defeats in Anbar, in the city of Mosul, and in the northern province of Salahuddin.

Separately, Ahmed Khalaf al-Dulaimi, the governor of Iraq’s Anbar province, also said that the Iraqi forces have been trapped on a road near Albu Etha in the western part of Ramadi.

He further noted that the soldiers were trapped after they ran out of ammunition and food.

He also pointed out that the Iraqi army is working on a plan to end the siege with the help of the Iraqi Air Force. He, however, did not provide any further details on the time the plan will be implemented.

Al-Anbar Province, which borders war-ravaged Syria, has been a major stronghold of the ISIL Takfiri elements and continues to be largely controlled by the terror group.

The Iraqi army has recently scored major gains in the province with Iraqi troops repelling a significant attack by the terror group on the strategic town of Amriyat al-Fallujah, 40 kilometers west of the capital, Baghdad. An ISIL terrorist leader was among those killed in the Iraqi army operation.

On Monday, al-Abadi underscored that Iraqi government troops and volunteer forces are completely capable of defeating ISIL terrorists.

The ISIL Takfiri terrorists currently control parts of Syria and Iraq. They have threatened all communities, including Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, Christians, Izadi Kurds and others, as they continue their atrocities in Iraq.

Senior Iraqi officials have blamed Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and some other Persian Gulf Arab states for the growing terrorism in their country.

IA/NN/HRB