Top Iranian cleric slams Takfiri moves

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - One of the Islamic Jurisprudent, Ayatollah Hussein Nouri Hamedani leveled criticism at Takfiri groups for rushing to areas close to the Sayyida Zainab neighborhood after coming under attack in various parts of the capital.The religious cleric in his recent massage underscored that Takfiri groups are the main threat in the Islamic World and against Muslims nations. Qom Seminary instructor slammed severely any move against innocent people in Syria urging Muslims to be united against the narrow minded. About 5,000 Shia Muslims, including those who have fled violence in other part of the capital, are living in the neighborhood. The youths in the region, armed with sticks and knives, have formed committees to protect the holy shrine of Sayyida Zainab, the daughter of Imam Ali (PBUH), and the neighboring areas. Several members of the committees have been martyred or injured in different clashes with armed rebels. The rebels have killed a number of Shia residents of the area or expelled them from their homes several times. Reports say the armed groups have also denied food and water supplies to the region on the eve of the holy month of Ramadan./149