Shia Observe Ashura Peacefully in Bandung, Indonesia

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - IJABI executive Samsudin Baharudin said that dozens of Islam Defenders Front (FPI) members arrived at the Lucky Star Convention Hall, where the Ashura commemoration took place, and demanded that the Shia community call off the meeting. IJABI members, however, ignored the FPI members and continued with the commemoration. “There is nothing wrong with observing Ashura . It is not against Islamic law,” he said. Samsudin said that IJABI members in Bandung were considered lucky to be able to celebrate Ashura without widespread rejection from the local community. According to Samsudin, IJABI members in several cities were barred from commemorating Ashura. Muslims celebrate Ashura Day on the 10th day of the first month of the Islamic calendar to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (as), Prophet Muhammad’s grandson and the third Imam of Shia Muslims who was martyred during the battle of Karbala. /106