Shiite Muslims hold anti-terrorism rally in Washington

CPT Ahmed Faried — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 13:05:22 -0500

From The Washington Post

Recommended read for folks here who claim Muslims don't speak out against terrorism.

Hundreds of Shiite Muslims turned a major annual spiritual ritual into an anti-terrorism rally Sunday, marching, singing and praying for hours from trendy Dupont Circle to the White House as tourists and brunch-goers rubbernecked.

Connecticut Avenue was a sea of black as Shiites mostly from the D.C. region waved banners with the name of their spiritual forefather, Imam Hussein, and pounded their chests with their fists simultaneously as an expression of mourning. His martyrdom 1,400 years ago is a major part of Shiite narrative and a defining event in the break between Shiite and Sunni Muslims, and is marked annually. A few days ago, more than 22 million Shiites and others visited the Iraqi city of Karbala in a pilgrimage to the place where Hussein died.

But this year the event twinned as a peace march. Muslims — including head-covered women, young children and hipsters with man buns on hoverboards — held signs condemning terrorism and the Islamic State and handed out hot chocolate and doughnuts in an effort to open conversations with passersby.

Some American Muslim groups and prominent U.S. Muslims have been making extra public efforts since the recent terrorism-related killings in San Bernardino, Calif., to speak against the Islamic State terrorist group, which is also known as ISIS, and radical Islamists.

“What’s happening now is we feel even more compelled to come out of our homes,” said Zehra Raza, 27, an electrical engineer from Alexandria, Va., who was at the rally with her husband.

The crowd was smaller than in past years, she and others said, because many Muslims were afraid of being harassed or targeted with violence. Such incidents have been on the rise. Many police officers were on hand, and there were no obvious protests against the rally.

When the crowd arrived at Lafayette Park across from the White House, tourists pulled out their cellphones. One group from Poland attempted in broken English to explain to a pair from Colombia what was going on.

“Some [Muslims] were afraid, but I think this is the perfect time to come out and stand with people who are oppressed. ISIS is the same as what Hussein was fighting 1,400 years ago,” Raza said.

ISIS has persecuted Shiites — among other religious minorities — in Syria and Iraq, called them infidels and killed them.

As Raza spoke, and offered strangers Krispy Kreme doughnuts, a woman from outside the group approached her to offer support and give her a hug. “God bless. Or whomever bless — the universe bless,” the woman said as she walked away.

Many of the signs echoed the views of marchers — that Shiites are victims of ISIS, and in particular of the Wahhabi branch of Islam that dominates Saudi Arabia. The front row of the marchers was a phalanx of young boys holding posterboards with words such as “Americans unite against Wahhabi terrorism,” “Muslims against ISIS” and “American Shia Muslims stand with the victims of San Bernardino.”

Ali Alkhafa, 23, a University of Maryland student who grew up in California but was born in a Saudi refugee camp, said Muslim Americans are hindered from being a louder voice against terrorism by their own internal divisions.

“Muslims aren’t as vocal as we need to be,” he said as the sound of men thumping their chests punctuated the air. “It’s cultural. We’re welcoming but not as open to one another as we should be. My folks’ generation are still isolated [by ethnic group], but my generation is really open.”

The crowd appeared conservative. Men and women marched mostly separately, and women’s heads were covered. However, participants said they were more ideologically diverse, and were deferring to the more traditional gestures out of respect for one another. In the mix were convenience store managers, emergency room doctors and chemistry teachers.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/shia-muslims-hold-antiterrorism-rally-in-washington/2015/12/06/03b2bf80-9c81-11e5-8728-1af6af208198_story.html?tid=sm_fb

The sect used an annual spiritual ritual as an occasion to march for peace.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2015 1:09 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 13:09:23 -0500

Good, let us hope this is the beginning of the reform that Islam needed. Good luck...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2015 1:09 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 13:09:56 -0500

I just posted similar stories in a different thread. Thanks.

Response by SGT David T. made Dec 7 at 2015 1:14 PM

SGT David T. — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 13:14:35 -0500

Excellent read. It is easy for people to fear that which is different. Even after all the deployments, I don't hate Muslims. I found most were hard working, good people just trying to get by like the rest of us. Every group has those who do evil things. We cannot judge the whole, by the actions of a few.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2015 1:17 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 13:17:11 -0500

I was told that the Imam for the Mosque nearby, on Friday, gave an excellent speech regarding how ISIS and the like are hurting muslims, how violence is not the way, denouncing the actions of those in Paris, France and Farook/Malik in California. He encouraged members to not follow the path of violence. I was excited to hear this news of the Imam publicly speaking out and wanted to hear/read it for myself. I looked to see if I could find a copy of it online, but wasn't successful or I would share it with you. It's good news to know more are publicly speaking out against these extremist groups.

CPT Ahmed Faried Thank you for the post. It is an excellent read!

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Dec 7 at 2015 1:37 PM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 13:37:30 -0500

Good on them, and happy to see it. I wish it were a larger crowd, and I hope to see Christian and Jewish leaders and followers joining them in the future.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Dec 7 at 2015 1:42 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 13:42:23 -0500

Its a good start. Now all we need is for the these folks and the rest of the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims to swear off religious violence (Shia, Sunni, Salafis, Wahabis, etc). Personally I'm praying for a world wide Muslim Peace Movement similar to the Reformation of the Christian World in the 16th Century. I say no more deaths based minute differences in religious belief and how you physically choose to pray.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Dec 7 at 2015 1:52 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 13:52:23 -0500

Thank you for posting CPT Ahmed Faried.
I understand why Shia Muslim leaders and adherents are against the wahhabi form of Islam. Sunni Muslims by and large consider Shia to be out of the primary fold of Islam since they hold to the hereditary lineage of Islam [similar in some ways to Roman Catholicism - elections of Popes is similar to election of Ayatollahs ] and other doctrinal differences.
Sunni Muslims have clashed with Shia Muslims in Iraq for decades and in Yemen more recently.
If Sunni Muslims ever get to the point of denouncing terrorism in the name of islam it would be wonderful. I do not expect Sunni leaders and adherents to take that step. Fringe Muslim groups such as Druze, Yazidi, etc. can well be expected to speak out against wahhabi islam because like teh Shia they have been killed by wahhabi adherents fro over a century.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 7 at 2015 2:06 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 14:06:55 -0500

CPT Ahmed Faried Thank you for the link. I had not seen this in the three newspapers I read. The link immediately went to multiple friends of mine!

Response by CW3 Jim Norris made Dec 7 at 2015 2:12 PM

CW3 Jim Norris — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 14:12:06 -0500

OK, where are the Sunni? Why wasn't the meeting together.....you folks can't get your act together until you can get your own house to stop the crazy crap. By the by, read the koran and all the stuff the jihadist are saying IS in that book, along with the haddith and hundreds of years worth of fatwahs and all the speechifying from all over the world. Sorry Capt. It Is About Islam.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2015 3:39 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 15:39:36 -0500

Ashura is a day of atonement and reflection for Shia Muslims.
It is very heartening to see them use the occasion to publicly denounce recent and long-standing acts of terrorism by radical Wahabbi.
It is a good start. I for one really appreciate the courage of the gesture.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Dec 7 at 2015 3:56 PM

Capt Walter Miller — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 15:56:04 -0500

I don't see where they talked up the good ol' USA.

Walt

Response by MSG David Chappell made Dec 7 at 2015 9:14 PM

MSG David Chappell — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 21:14:56 -0500

I have posted this before The classical Shafi‘i manual of law, "‘Umdat al-Salik" [The Reliance of the Traveller]
by Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri.

This the book of Islamic law. It is the defining edge of Islam. If you have doubt of the true intentions of Islam, look here.
“Jihad means to war against non-Muslims.” (Reliance o9.0.)

It is an annual requirement to donate a portion of one’s income to the betterment of the ummah (an obligation called zakat, which is usually, and inaccurately, translated as “charity” –zakat can only be given to Muslims and is designed strictly to fortify the Muslim community, not benefit the less fortunate generally); of this annual donation, one-eighth must be given to “those fighting for Allah, meaning people engaged in Islamic military operations for whom no salary has been allotted in the army roster…. They are given enough to suffice them for the operation even if they are affluent; of weapons, mounts, clothing and expenses.” (Reliance, h8.1-17.)

Response by MSG Tim Gray made Dec 7 at 2015 9:15 PM

MSG Tim Gray — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 21:15:45 -0500

I found the disparity between Shia and Sunni sects very interesting, I guess because it was unexpected for me. I do remember the Sunni , being the more vocal of the two.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 8 at 2015 7:10 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 07:10:34 -0500

CPT Ahmed F. Outstanding. God/Allah Bless the Persians.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Dec 8 at 2015 7:18 AM

Cpl Jeff N. — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 07:18:56 -0500

That is good to see and hopefully there will be more of it. Actions need to follow the words. Fellow muslims need to report people in their midst that are advocating jihad or violence against citizens as a viable course of action. If that start happening that will go a long way in assuaging concerns folks have about the relative quiet on the issue.

Shia and Sunni's do not see eye to eye on much. As ISIS is Sunni it is easy for the Shia to call out the adversary inside their faith (much akin to protestants calling out Catholics). I am not saying this isn't a good thing to see but there is some context to consider as well.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 9:13 AM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 09:13:09 -0500

Why would some muslims in America be upset that the potus asked the muslim community to help root out extremism. Do they have similar beliefs?

http://www.npr.org/2015/12/08/458869660/some-muslim-americans-irritated-by-obamas-call-for-them-to-root-out-extremism

Some Muslim Americans Irritated By Obama's Call For Them To 'Root Out' Extremism

Muslim Americans feel unfairly maligned, singled out and asked to do more than others when it comes to terrorism.

Response by A1C Charles D Wilson made Dec 8 at 2015 12:40 PM

A1C Charles D Wilson — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 12:40:27 -0500

SMH. I respect all religions and could care less. Islam, Christian, Catholic, etc. Being Native American and having lost most of our history here on the east coast we all have tried to help and be peaceful. This is eye opening as was Christianity and other religions that was introduced to our people but a faith into any religion that calls for hurt or pain upon anyone to me is just wrong. The KJ Bible had its issues in the old testaments and the new testaments made a difference. Maybe the Islam Koran needs to have and update to support positive feeds and start the second testament for the Koran. With all the leaders of the religion they should make the move. Peace is all that we want. I am very wary about anything Islamic right now due to seeing post from Muslims about controlling this nation to conquering this nation this includes Facebook to YouTube.
We have tried for years to get along with others and we do not demand anything of anyone other than respect the land and do not take from it what is not offered to you. That is where we are now with pollution and so called global warming (That comes in cycles). I do not know. I am not here to deny or disrupt this ideology but just like all religions that is what it is. To me I set back scratching my head and saying or thinking .. who do I follow? Why do I follow?
Respect to all and have a blessed day.

Chuck D

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 8 at 2015 1:02 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 13:02:55 -0500

It was a good rally.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 2:54 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:54:31 -0500

This is a great read, and I am pleased the Islamic community are speaking out. However, it must be both Sunni and Shiite speaking out. A combined and continuous effort is the only answer.

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Dec 8 at 2015 6:58 PM

PO3 Sherry Thornburg — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 18:58:28 -0500

Better late than never, and they have more to lose if ISIS like terrorism get a hold here. All that they worked for to build businesses and lives and community here would be damaged irrevocably. Radicals don't just go after non-muslims. They target other muslims that don't agree with them and won't join them or be extorted to fund them. They don't want the chaos.

Response by SrA Art Siatkowsky made Dec 9 at 2015 2:13 AM

SrA Art Siatkowsky — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 02:13:29 -0500

There are over 1 billion muslims and only 44million support ISIS. Thats a tiny percentage. I have muslim friends, neighbors, my sons best freind is a muslim refugee from Kosovo. They are some of the best people in my life. I do not think the muslims who committ the atrocities for ISIS etc are even religious. If so I wonder what these radical clerics say to twist the teachings of their faith to allow for the horrific things they do.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Dec 10 at 2015 10:17 AM

LTC Paul Labrador — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 10:17:48 -0500

Denouncing and rallying is a good first step. Now what are they actually going to DO about it...?