(AhlulBayt News Agency) - AhlulBayt World Assembly has issued a statement on on condemning attack on Shiite mosque in South Africa.
The full text of the statement is as follows:
In the Name of God
And never think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He only delays (their punishment) for a Day when eyes will stare [in horror]. (The Holy Quran: Verse 42 of Surah Ibrahim)
The cowardly attack on Imam Hussein Mosque in Durban, South Africa, which resulted in the martyrdom of a worshiper and wounding of two others - including the Imam of mosque - as well as burning the library of this holy place, once again disclosed the brutal nature of Takfirist savage terrorists for Muslims and the people around the world.
The devil's slaves, by attacking the house of God, shared the crimes of Yazid and his followers, and mixed the blood of the followers of Ahlulbayt in that African country with the blood of the Lord of Martyrs, Imam Hussein, in Karbala. It was as if innocence and martyrdom were inherited by the followers of Imam Ali and Imam Hussein (peace be upon them) from any ethnicity and nationality.
The terrorists also showed their long-standing enmity with knowledge and awareness to the world by burning the mosque's library, so that the world could understand how far from Islam are these criminals who claim to be Muslims; while true Islam is the culmination of culture, knowledge and progress in the world.
The terrorist criminals in Iraq, Syria, Kuwait, Egypt, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and European countries are targeting places such as mosques, religious sites, the shrines of Holy Prophet’s companions and saints, churches, Friday Prayer gatherings, religious mourning ceremonies, peaceful rallies, parliaments, election venues, news agencies, academic conferences, art programs, archaeological and historical sites, public transport stations, etc., which indicates their opposition to all manifestations of civilization and religion.
The Ahlulbayt World Assembly condemns the recent crime of Takfirist terrorists in Durban, and invites all Muslims to maintain their vigilance against the enemies of Islam. Today, it is incumbent upon all Muslims to keep up their unity and solidarity against various conspiracies in order to frustrate the sworn enemies of Muslim community in fanning the fire of sectarian conflicts and religious violence - which has recently been extinguished by the wise leadership of Grand Ayatollahs and sacrifice of the people in Iraq.
The Ahlulbayt World Assembly as an international organization also announces with a clear voice: Islam is a religion of peace and kindness, and Shiism is a denomination of mercy, compassion, and tolerance. Violent attacks like the one in Durban has no place in this holy religion.
A group of misguided, ignorant and violent people who are trying to distort the merciful countenance of Islam are not regarded as Muslims among true Muslims and monotheists; rather, they reveal the scandalous and wicked face of themselves with such barbaric crimes.
The Ahlulbayt World Assembly expresses its sympathy with the Muslim community of South Arica and all those who suffered from the cruel attack on Imam Hussein Mosque in Durban, especially the family of Shahid Mohammad Abbas Essop.
We pray to Almighty God to elevate the status of this martyr in the hereafter, and to cure wounded ones of this painful event.
We further appeal to the South African government and its security and judicial bodies to launch an exhaustive investigation to identify and punish the perpetrators of this crime in order to prevent such bloody attacks in future, and stop Takfirist infidels from committing similar crimes in their land.
And those who act unjustly shall know to what final place of turning they shall be returned.
Surely, we belong to Allah, and to Him we shall surely return.
The Ahlulbayt World Assembly
22 May 2018
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