Pakistani Shias Hold Gathering in Islamabad
It marked the martyrdom anniversary of Shia Leader Allameh Syed Arif Hussain Hussaini, IQNA reported.
The participants called on the government of Pakistan to pay serious attention to the demands of the country’s Shia community and put an end to terrorist attacks targeting Shia Muslims.
Allameh Raja Jaafari, a Shia leader who had been on a hunger strike in protest at the government’s lack of concern for ensuring security for Shias, was present at the assembly.
He criticized the Pakistani government for its negligence on the issue and called for efforts to stop terrorist attacks on Shias.
A number of Sunni Muslims were also present at the event to show solidarity with their fellow Muslim brothers.
Amin Shahidi, secretary general of Pakistan’s Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, said the participation of both Shias and Sunnis in the gathering proved that sectarianism has no place in Pakistan and the nation is wakeful.
He added that Takfiri terrorist groups are making attempts to sow discord among Pakistanis but their plots will get nowhere.
Allameh Syed Arif Hussain Hussaini was assassinated in Parachinar, northwest of Pakistan, on August 5, 1988.
After having prayed at a local mosque, he was confronted by two terrorist gunmen and shot.
