Egypt Ulema flay Najaf Shrine attack as assault on Islam, call for UNESCO role

By: Sultan Ahmed

CAIRO, Egypt: Egyptian religious scholars from Al-Azhar have condemned aggression on the holy shrine of Al-Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb (peace be on him) in the holy city of Najaf and demanded from the government of Egypt to interfere immediately for halt of such attacks and safety of all holy sanctuaries during war times.

The holy Hydery shrine was damaged during clashes between US-led occupation forces and As-Sadr’s Mehdi Militia.

The former chief of Al-Azhar University Ahmed Omar Hashem said this is such a crime that all Muslims are duty bound to stand against it because enemies have committed aggression against Wali from Auliya Allah and the progeny of holy Prophet (peace be on him & his pure progeny). He said Imam Ali (peace be on him) is flower of House of Prophethood and cousin of holy Prophet (peace be on him & his pure progeny), therefore, attack on him is an assault against every Muslim man and woman. He demanded from the world community to come out of its silence in front of these aggressions against our holy sites.

President of the Egyptian syndicate of the nobles Ash-Sheikh Ahmad Kamel Yassin while denouncing the attack on the holy mausoleum said that war must be far from these holy sites. He also demanded withdrawal of occupation forces from the wounded Iraq.

Mufti of Egypt Ali Juma’aa termed the assault on Imam Ali (peace be on him) shrine as an “inhuman act” that violates international law. He demanded from the world community to play their role in protecting holy sites belonging to all religions.

Director of the office of Sheikh Al-Azhar Omar Bastawesy said the Al-Azhar institution condemns this aggression, and all Muslims are under obligation to reject this act while occupation forces must apologize for this. He urged Muslims for unity.

Hussein Khidr, representative Ministry of Endowments condemned the aggression and termed it a terror act.

Mehmoud Ashur, former deputy of Al-Azhar said attack on the holy Shrine of Imam Ali (peace be on him) is aggression against Islam and religious beliefs. He said the attackers have proved through their deed that they are terrorists. He said Islam throughout its history always preached to respect holy sites of all religions.

Condemning the razing of Al-Mokhayyem Mosque in the holy city of Karbala, Ashur said it is a Crusade war from all aspects, and Muslims must defend their holy sites. He said attacks on the holy sites are act of cowards and that there are laws that set punishment for aggression on the sanctity of graves, while these are not the graves of common people but the Chosen people of Allah.

Ashur demanded from UNESCO and also other organizations that care for protection of historic monuments to interfere immediately in that what happened to the holy shrine of Imam Ali (peace be on him) considering it a historic monument. He said they should care for it as they cared in the past for Botha's statues and the Pharaonic statues in Egypt.

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