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
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