Salafists Attack Holy Site in Tunisia

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - The site, which has been registered on the World Heritage List, is located in the city of Foussana. Following the victory of Tunisia’s revolution and the fall of the dictatorial regime of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, extremist Salafist groups emerged in the country with the support from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. They have shown their anti-Islamic nature by attacking holy sites and Shia processions. In their latest anti-Islamic move, they attacked the Sayyid Bu Ghanim mausoleum in Foussana, setting books, including copies of the Holy Quran, on fire. With the Friday attack, the number of the holy sites destroyed by radical groups in Tunisia reached 51. Tunisia’s Awqaf and Religious Affairs Ministry has condemned the arson attack, calling on the country’s security officials to immediately identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice. He also urged the authorities to take steps to prevent further attacks and desecrations of holy sites. Destroying holy sites is a Bida’a (heresy) that began with Saudi Arabia destroying the Baqi’i cemetery in the holy city of Medina.End item/ 149