AhlulBayt News Agency: The secretary general of Tanzim al-Makatib has strongly condemned the burning of a Hussainiyah and ta’ziya structures in Farrukhabad, India, describing the incident as a grave threat to national unity and the country’s long-standing tradition of religious coexistence.
In a statement, Hojatoleslam Seyed Safi Haider Zaidi, a senior cleric based in Lucknow, said the torching of the religious site in Farrukhabad was a deeply distressing act that undermines social harmony and shared cultural heritage.
Zaidi emphasized that India has historically been recognized as a land of diversity and peaceful coexistence, guided by the principle of “live and let live” and a constitutional commitment to religious freedom.
“The burning of a Husayniyya and ta’ziyas is not merely an attack on a building,” he stated, “but a blow to the spirit of unity and the culture of interfaith harmony that has long defined Indian society.”
He warned that the incident raises serious questions about the maintenance of public order and security in the state of Uttar Pradesh, calling it a significant challenge for executive and security institutions.
The cleric said the act has severely wounded the religious sentiments of the Shia community and created anxiety and concern among its members.
Highlighting the unique place of Imam Hussein’s mourning rituals in India, Zaidi noted that, alongside countries with Shia-majority populations, India stands out as a nation where Muharram commemorations are observed with remarkable freedom and grandeur. He pointed out that large numbers of followers of other religions also participate in these ceremonies.
He specifically referred to the tradition of the “Hussaini Brahmins” as a vivid symbol of shared heritage and intercommunal solidarity within Indian society.
Zaidi urged authorities to immediately identify and arrest those responsible for the arson attack and to prosecute them decisively in accordance with the law.
He expressed hope that the government of Uttar Pradesh would act swiftly to ensure justice, restore public confidence, and safeguard social cohesion.
Observers say the incident comes at a sensitive time for communal relations in India, underscoring the importance of firm legal action and proactive measures to prevent sectarian tensions from escalating.
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