Holy Shrines in Iraq: Safe Haven for Christians and Muslims Alike

Imam Ali said, “Know that people are of two types: they are either your brothers in religion or your equals in creation.” (Nahjul Balagha, Sermon #53).

Imam Ali Holy Shrine

The so-called Islamic State has revealed violent and inhumane values, only not related to Islam What-so-ever.

With civilians being killed, raped, property confiscated, and sanctities desecrated by the so-called Islamic State, the holy Shrines of Imam Ali [as] in Najaf and Imam Hussein [as] in Karbala could not but openly and warmly offer safe haven to the Iraqis of all ethnic and religious backgrounds fleeing Mosul and other regions that were raided by extremist takfiris.

Christians in Mosul were threatened by the terrorists; they were to choose to either convert, die, or flee, and most chose the final option and escaped IS held territory.

Two of the holiest Shia shrines in Iraq, that of the Imam Ali [as], cousin, son-in-law and successor of Islam’s prophet Mohamad (pbuh) located in the city of Najaf, and that of the grandson of the Prophet, Imam Hussein [as] located in the city of Karbala opened their facilities wide before the Iraqi displaced, Muslims and Christians alike.

Also hosting refugees in the city of Karbala was the facilities of Abul Fadhl Abbas Shrine, son of Imam Ali [as] and brother of Imam Hussein [as] who served as an important historical leader.
Sayyed Afdal al-Shamim Deputy SG of Imam Hussein Shrine On this note, the deputy secretary-general of the Imam Hussein Holy Shrine, Sayyed Afdal al-Shami told al-ahed news that the shrines warmly welcome the displaced Christians who have fled their homes in fear of violence and death. Not only Christians are welcome, but all people who seek refuge from the violence ripping through Iraq.

“So far, the holy shrine in Karbala has hosted in its facilities more than 10 thousand families, where an average family is made up of no less than 5 to 6 members,” he said.

Sunnis and Shias alike are accommodated with all their essential needs met so far, according to Sayyed al-Shami.

“Most of the displaced have arrived from Mosul, especially following the violence that took place in Tal Afar and Ninevah areas. The displaced are settled in all the facilities belonging to the holy shrines on three main roads: the road connecting Karbala to Babylon, the road connecting Karbala to Baghdad, and the last connecting Karbala to Najaf,” the official elaborated.

He noted that these facilities are usually prepared to “host visitors from all around the world during the major events and pilgrims to Imam Hussein [as], which include rooms, assembly halls, gardens, and rest rooms.”

“The displaced are receiving daily meals, new clothes, cold water, medical services and other necessities that meet their daily needs, the SG deputy told al-Ahed news.

Also, Sayyed al-Shami accentuated that to help deal with this calamity caused by terrorist groups, the Shiite waqf (endowment) has allocated 15 billion dinars as well in an attempt to help meet the needs of the displaced Iraqis.

The deputy stressed that both Shrines have addressed their Christian fellow brothers, offering them help and assuring that the Shrines provide them safe haven from the so-called Islamic State terrorists who pose threat to all humankind.

Displaced Iraqis “The holy shrines, the rest place of major figures of Islam Prophet’s Household, hold within its folds the ultimate meanings of humanity and mercy, he stressed ,adding “Our Imams lived peacefully with fellow brothers from other religions who held different beliefs or creeds, which is evidence that Islam is a religion of peace and civilization.”

According to the Iraqi official, “history never recalls that during the time of Imam Ali [as], Christians were displaced or humiliated, rather they enjoyed a life full of respect and dignity, and they enjoyed all their rights as human beings.”
He assured that Christians, Muslims [Sunnis and Shias together], Kurds, as well as all Iraqis who belong to other denominations will face the situation together as they are brothers in humanity.

“This terrorist Takfiri state was created as part of is a scheme to distort the image of Islam, to cast the seeds of strife and discord among people, to also weaken all Arab armies in order to strengthen the status of “Israel”, but God willing this is a failing project that will not achieve its goals,” Sayyed al-Shami concluded.

Tens of thousands of Iraqi Christians and Muslims are still being forced to flee their homes under threat by extremist Islamic militants.

Last week, the deputy secretary-general of the Imam Ali Holy Shrine, Zuhair Shurba said that the Najaf Shrine is ready to host the Christian families who departed their houses in fear of being killed by the so-called IS.
Facilities – Displaced Iraqis “What is being done by the Daesh terrorist gang against our Christian citizens in Ninevah province, and their aggression against the churches and houses of worship in the areas under their control reveals beyond any doubt the extremist criminal and terrorist nature of this group,” al-Maliki said in a statement released by his office.

“Those people, through their crimes, are revealing their true identity and the false allegations made here and there about the existence of revolutionaries among their ranks.”
Also, the so-called IS has strongly targeted and killed Shia and Sunni Muslims since taking over the region. On August 3, the terrorist group seized two small towns in northern Iraq after driving out Kurdish security forces, further expanding the territories under their control, officials said.

At the end of June the UN said that there was a civilian death toll of 1,531, with 886 security forces killed. They added that 2,287 Iraqis, including 1,763 civilians, were wounded.

Thousands from religiously mixed cities have fled from their homes. Also, the so-called Islamic State captured Sinjar, home to the Yazidi minority.

Source: Al-Ahed News