Muslim peace march in UK protesting the damage of Shia’s shrine

[sonz]

Thousands of Muslims are expected to take to Britain’s streets on Saturday in a show of unity as fears grow that the attack on the Shia’s holy site in Samarra, Iraq could spark civil war in the region.

At least 10,000 Muslims will participate in the peaceful march in central London, expressing their commitment to a peaceful future, the march organizers said.

In Iraq, the highest Shia religious authority, the Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, called for a week of public mourning in Iraq after a terrorist bomb attack destroyed the Shia shrine of Imam Ali al-Naqi and Imam Hassan al-Askariya in Samarra, north of Baghdad.

But Ayatollah Sistani called on Iraqis to express their anger over such crimes in a peaceful manner.

He also called for declaration of specific days for public mourning in order to reclaim peace after Samarra attack.

Also UK’s Muslim leaders called for a week of mourning.

London march was arranged following an emergency meeting of Muslim leaders, at the offices of the al-Khoei Foundation, the largest Shia organisation in the UK.

"We hope to achieve two things. Firstly, to completely show our disgust and to protest against such an evil and heinous crime,” said organiser Mohamed Al-Hilli, 27, whose family fled Iraq to the UK when he was aged two.

"We want to show our determination to make sure that people know these crimes must not be repeated in the future. Secondly, we want to show Iraqis are united, whether Sunni, Shia or Kurd factions. That they will not be led or taken into fighting and not go down a road to civil war."

Source: Scotsman News

[Nicola]

"We want to show our determination to make sure that people know these crimes must not be repeated in the future. Secondly, we want to show Iraqis are united, whether Sunni, Shia or Kurd factions. That they will not be led or taken into fighting and not go down a road to civil war."

lets pray it works

[Lush]

This new development in Iraq breaks my heart. I can only hope that some good can come out of this march. :(

[Nicola]

BAGHDAD: Sectarian tensions, already at a peak, were further inflamed on Saturday in Iraq when bombers blew up a car in the Shia holy city of Karbala and bombers blew up a well-known Shia tomb in Taz Khurmatu in northern Iraq, police said. At least 60 people, including 16 policemen, were killed in fresh violence across the country.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default...6-2-2006_pg1_2

will it ever stop!

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[HeiGou]

Thousands of Muslims are expected to take to Britain’s streets on Saturday in a show of unity as fears grow that the attack on the Shia’s holy site in Samarra, Iraq could spark civil war in the region.

At least 10,000 Muslims will participate in the peaceful march in central London, expressing their commitment to a peaceful future, the march organizers said.

Unfortunately turn out was not that high. I guess they did not give people enough time to organise.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4751122.stm

Muslim march over shrine bombing
Protest against the destruction of holy Shia shrine
The marchers in London fear Iraq could slip into civil war
About 2,000 Muslims have taken part in a march in London to protest against Wednesday's bomb attack on a holy shrine in Iraq.

The bombing of the al-Askari shrine in Samarra, north of Baghdad, has sparked sectarian violence in Iraq in which at least 165 have died this week.

The crowds, who marched from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square, called for unity in Iraq and for terrorist acts to stop.

The event, which began at midday on Saturday, passed off peacefully.

'Heinous crime'

Organiser Mohammed Al-Hilli, 27, speaking before the march said: "We hope to achieve two things.

"Firstly, to completely show our disgust and to protest against such an evil and heinous crime.

"Secondly, we want to show Iraqis are united, whether Sunni, Shia or Kurd factions.

"That they will not be led or taken into fighting and not go down a road to civil war.

"The majority of slogans will reiterate our stance against civil war, terrorism and those who committed this crime."