Tue, 30 Jan 2007 00:01:00 Bomb Explosion during a Shi'a Muslim Gathering
 MAP: Peshawar, Pakistan |
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PESHAWAR, Pakistan: A bomb went off near a Shi'a Muslim mosque in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar late Saturday, killing at least 13 people and wounding 60, police said. Most of the victims were police and municipal officials who were clearing the route for a procession of Shi'a Muslims who were preparing to leave the mosque in the crowded old city of Peshawar, said police officer Aziz Khan.
The Al-Khoei Foundation was quick to condemn the attack. Syed Meesam Razvi, the Foundation's representative to United Nations called the bombings "heinous" and "provocative".
Razvi further elaborated that these bombings in Pakistan and Iraq are symbolic and are meant to provoke further violence, since they have taken place during the first week of the Islamic Year.
In another incident twin car bombs killed at least 15 people and injured 55 Saturday at a market in Baghdad, police officials said. It was the second Baghdad market bombing in two days.
For Muslims, especially the Shi'a, the beginning of the Islamic New Year portents tearful eyes and lamentations. In the beginning of the year - especially the first ten days - Muslims commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad, with spiritual fervor. During these gatherings, the speakers remind their congregations of Imam Hussain's stand for the ethos of truth, justice and tolerance and that he liberated the Muslims from the yokes of Yazidi philosophy which stood for deception, discrimination and intolerance.
The Al-Khoei Foundation was established by Grand Ayatollah Al-Khoei (RA) in 1989 and is the largest Shi'a Muslim religious-charitable organization. The Foundation has more than 15 branches all across the world, where it is responsible for the maintenance of Schools, Colleges, Universities and Islamic Centers. The Foundation is the only Shi'a Muslim organization that enjoys a General Consultative Status with United Nations. |
