Europe News 2006/2005

Turkish Muslims slam Saudi move to raze holy sites

ANKARA, Turkey: Turkish Muslims protested against Saudi Arabia's decision to destroy the birth place of the noblest messenger of Allah Hazrat Muhammad (Peace of Allah be Upon Him and His Household).

France holds cultural workshop to bridge West-Muslim divide

PARIS, France: France is launching a "cultural workshop" to promote understanding between the West and the Islamic world.

EU Islamic orgs chief condemns phobias against Islam, the West

LE BOURGET, France: The head of Islamic organizations in Europe denounced "phobias" against Islam in the West as well as Muslim hatred of Westerners, calling on the two sides to bridge their differences.

German prejudice against Muslims mounting

BERLIN, Germany: German Minister for Justice Brigitte Zypries warned of growing religious discrimination against Muslims, DPA cited a report in the daily Welt am Sonntag for this weekend.

Holy fish pair draws flocks in British city

LONDON, Britain: Muslims are flocking to see a pair of fish in the British city of Liverpool which appear to bear the words "Allah" and "Muhammad", their owner said.

European countries witness celebrations marking 17 Rabi-ol Aval

HELSINKI, Finland: Anniversary of birth of Chief of Prophets holy Prophet Muhammad (s) and his sixth infallible inheritor Al-Imam Ja’far As-Sadeq (a) was celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm on 17 Rabi-ol Aval in different European countries including Finland, Sweden, Germany, France, Britain and Netherlands.

B-day of Prophet (p) celebrated in Vienna with culture festival

VIENNA, Austria: Turks residing in Austria’s capital celebrated the 1435th birth anniversary of holy Prophet Mohammed (peace be on him and his pure progeny) with a “culture festival.”

Holland Muhammadan gala slams terrorism

THE HAGUE, Holland: A Muhammadan festival under arrangements of Khadamah Mokab Shabab Al-Abbas (AS) to mark the birth anniversary of Khatamol Ambiyaa val Morsalin Prophet Muhammad Al-Mostafa (SW) was held in The Hague.

‘Greece spent years debating formation of mosque in Athens’

ATHENS, Greece: Greece - a solidly Christian country with a sizeable Muslim community - has spent years debating the establishment of a mosque somewhere in its capital - without success.

Report of Central London’s 25th annual Arbaeen procession

LONDON, Britain: The 25th annual Arbaeen (Chelum) Procession of Imam Hussain (AS) took place on Sunday 19th March 2006 (18th Safar 1427) at Marble Arch, Central London, commencing with Zuhrain Namaz-e-Jamat led by Hujjatul Isalm Sayed Jaasim At-Taweerjawi al-Karbalai, the most famous zakir of Iraq Followed by recitation of Sura al-Dahar in Arabic and English, Majlis in Arabic and Urdu.

Mominin in Germany, NL hold Arbaeen ceremonies

BERLIN, Germany: In Germany and Netherlands, Arbaeen Al-Hussaini – the day when Sabayaa (those who were made prisoners) Aal-ol Beit (A) returned to Karbala - was reverently observed.

Finland: Karbala martyrs paid rich homage on Arbaeen

HELSINKI, Finland: Ansar Shahid Al-Mehrab Organization in Finland observed Arbaeen Al-Hossaini by holding a majlis al-azaa on 20 Safar at Al-Imam Al-Baqer (A) Center.

Arba’in observed in European countries

DEN HAAG, Holland: Big mourning gatherings to commemorate Arba’in Al-Hosayni (fortieth day after the martyrdom of Sebt-or Rasul (S) Al-Imam Al-Hosayn (A)) wereheld in Denmark, Sweden and Holland.

Sweden Arbaeen procession revives devotion for Imam Hussein (AS)

MALMO, Sweden: Marking Arbaeen Al-Husseini or the fortieth day after the martyrdom of Al-Imam Abi Abdellah Al-Hussein (AS), Iraqis, Lebanese, Afghans, Pakistanis and other nationals residing in Sweden organized a mourning procession in Malmo.

Turkish people mourn and protest shrines destruction

ISTANBUL, Turkey: Tens of thousands of Turkish mourning protestors took to the streets of Istanbul on Feb. 26 beating their chests in deep grief to protest the heinous deadly attack on the holy shrine of Al-Imamayn Al-Askariyain in Iraq.

Austria, Finland, Germany eye mourning protests against Samarra tragedy

VIENNA/ HELSINKI/ BERLIN: Huge mourning protests were held in Austria, Finland and Germany to denounce heinous aggression against the holy shrine of Al-Imamayn Al-Askariyain (a.s.), 10th and 11th descendants of holy Prophet Muhammad Al-Mostafa (s.w.), in holy Samarra.

Big protests in Denmark, Holland slam Samarra aggression

COPENHAGEN/THE HAGUE: Marking the heart-rending Samarra tragedy in which enemies of Islam destructed the holy shrine of Al-Imamain Al-Askariain (A), mourning protestors belonging to India, Pakistan, Turkey, Afghanistan and Arab world took to the streets of Denmark and Holland to condemn the heinous crime.

NZ ISCHRO terms shrines attack as an assault on revered Imams

AUCKLAND, New Zealand: The International Shia Cultural and Human Rights Organization (ISCHRO) from New Zealand condemned the bombing of sacred religious sites.

Malmo witnesses massive mourning protest march

MALMO, Sweden: A massive mourning protest rally was held in Malmo, Sweden, to condemn cowardice acts that targeted holy Prophet (s) by publishing insulting caricatures in newspapers, and his infallible descendants by bombing the holy shrines of Al-Imam Al-Hadi (a) and Al-Imam Al-Askari (a) in the holy city of Samarra – the acts which downed the head of humanity.

Tens of thousands of mourners protest in UK against Samarra shrine attack

LONDON, Britain: Tens of thousands of mourning people gathered in central London to protest against the deadliest attack on the holy shrine of holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad Al-Mostafa (p)’s 10th and 11th infallible descendants Hazrat Imam Ali Naqi Al-Hadi (p) and Hazrat Imam Hasan Al-Askari (p) in the holy city of Samarra, Iraq.

Hussaini procession held for the first time in Saarbrucken

SAARBRUCKEN, Germany: We see that Hussaini sittings and processions in non-Islamic countries kindle new candles every year during Ashura commemoration.

Europe witnesses Hussaini majalis, processions

PARIS, France: From Berlin to Brussels, and Paris to London, Amsterdam, The Hague and Malmo, in short, in all European parts ,Zikr-ol Hussein and Ahl-ol Beit (a.s.) in majalis al-aza continues to pay homage to the martyrs f Karbala who irrigated the tree of Islam with their blood some 1,400 years ago.

Holland witnesses Hussaini procession in memory of Karbala martyrs

AMSTERDAM, Holland: A Hussaini mourning procession was held in Holland in memory of grandson of holy Prophet (p), Hazrat Imam Hussain (p) and his 72 near and dear ones.

Shab-e-ashoor commemoration in London

LONDON, Britain: Shab-e-Ashoor and day of Ashoor were observed with deep grief in Britain like other countries.

Donating blood is not regarded as mourning sign, ISCHRO

AUCKLAND, New Zealand: The International Shia Cultural and Human Rights Organization (ISCHRO) of New Zealand urged all countries to respect the mourning ritual of Imam Husain (as) during the commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Husain Ibn Ali (as).

Holland: Various orgs revive Husseini Revolution commemoration

DEN HAAG, Holland: Every year, as new lunar year begins, tragedy of Karbala which occurred in the year A.D. 680 in which holy Prophet Muhammad bin Abdullah (A)’s grandson Master of the Youth of Paradise Al-Imam Abi Abdellah Al-Hussein (A) was killed unjustly along with his 72 near and dear ones t the hands of tyrant Yazid (L).

London: Pursa of Imam Hussein (A) paid to Holy Prophet (S)

LONDON, Britain: To pay homage to the martyrs of Karbala whose blood watered the tree of Islam thus saved it, azadari programs were continued in United Kingdom on Saturday.  

Husseini gatherings persist in Denmark

COPENHAGEN, Denmark: Marking the mourning month of Moharram in which Sibt-or Rasol Al-Mostafa Al-Imam Al-Hussein (a.s.) was unjustly slaughtered some 1,400 years ago, Husseini gatherings organized by various organizations are being held in Denmark.

Hosayni commemorative programs in Turkey

ISTANBUL, Turkey: Every conscious human being whether he belongs to any country, region or faith respects Hosayn ibne Ali (peace be upon him), grandson of holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his progeny), for his invaluable sacrifice was to defend umanity and protect lofty human standards.

ISCHRO slams Iran decision to remove Hadith Kisa

AUCKLAND, New Zealand: The International Shia Cultural and Human Rights Organization (ISCHRO) is extremely concerned with the recent decision by Mohammad Mahdi Rai Shahri to exclude the Narration of the Cloak (Hadith Kitha) from the book Mafatih Al-Jinan.

Melbourne majalis commemorate martyrdom of Abi Al-Ahrar (p)

MELBOURNE, Australia: Every day is Ashura and every land is Karbala … To commemorate the martyrdom of Abi Al-Ahrar Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p) and his near and dear ones some 1,400 years ago, majalis-i-aza began in Australia also like other global parts.

Sweden hosts Majalis al-azaiyah marking Karbala Tragedy

MALMO, Sweden: To give homage to supreme sacrifices rendered by Master of Youths of Paradise Al-Imam Al-Hussein bin Ali (AS) to elevate the flag of Allahu Akbar, Al-Imam Al-Montazar Foundation and Khoddam Al-Hussein Association have arranged two 10-day majalis al-azaiyh programs in Swedish city of Malmo like other organizations.

Britain: Tragedy of At-Taff observance in continuation

LONDON, Britain: Like other European countries, series of 10-day majalis al-azaiyah to commemorate Tragedy of At-Taff in which Al-Imam Al-Hussain (a.s.) along with his 72 near and dear ones was martyred unjustly at the ands of Yazid.

French, Spanish, German, Swiss papers reprint cartoons

Berlin, Germany: A French, two Spanish, a German and a Swiss newspapers have reprinted a series of Danish daily insulting cartoons depicting Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his pure progeny) after Denmark and Norway publications, and declared that freedom of press is important than protests and boycotts sparked by the caricatures in the Islamic and Arab worlds.

Danish paper sorry for cartoons after warnings

COPENHAGEN, Denmark: Denmark's largest selling broadsheet newspaper issued an apology to the "honorable citizens of the Muslim world" after publishing a series of insulting cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (p) that provoked protests across the Muslim world.

Holland hosts magnificent Ghadir festival

THE HAGUE, Holland: To celebrate Eid-ol Ghadir, the day of appointment of Al-Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (a.s.) as first infallible successor of holy Prophet (s.w.), Shiia Muslim Youth Association organized a celebration in Holland on Friday 27 Jan.

Arla seeks Prophet (p) cartoons row end as protests continue

COPENHAGEN, Denmark: Europe’s second-largest dairy company Arla has placed advertisements in Middle Eastern newspapers to try to stop a boycott of Danish produce in Muslim countries as huge protest rallies were held in Iraq to denounce publications of cartoons of Holy Prophet Muhammad (p) in Danish and Norwegian publications.

Saudis recall envoy on cartoons; EU 2nd-largest dairy co. in loss

COPENHAGEN, Denmark: The Saudi government has recalled its ambassador to Denmark in protest at the Danish government's position on the publication of cartoons depicting Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his pure progeny) by a best-selling newspaper.

Britain: Mahafil held marking Eid-e-Ghadeer

NORTHAMPTON, Britain: Eid-e-Ghadeer was also celebrated in Britain with due respect and enthusiasm like other countries.

Norway paper repeats Danish caricatures of Prophet (p)

OSLO, Norway: The dust was yet to settle from the conflict caused by the publication of cartoons insulting to the holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his pure progeny) in the Danish newspaper Jyllands Posten, that a Norway newspaper published the caricatures as well on the occasion of Eid-ol Adha, or the feast of sacrifice.

NZ Shia human rights org condemns Karbala bombing

AUCKLAND, New Zealand: The International Shia Cultural and Human Rights Organization (ISCHRO) in New Zealand condemned the recent brutal bombing by extremists in Karbala that resulted in the martyrdom of several innocent people.

Danish prophet (p) cartoon quarrel goes to EU court

Copenhagen, Denmark: Muslim organizations of Denmark are planning to take the daily Jyllands-Posten to the European Court of Human Rights over derogatory cartoons of the chief of Prophet, Prophet Mohammed (p).

Kiwi Shia org condoles to Imam Mahdi (p) on Ayat Kokaby death

AUCKLAND, New Zealand: International Shia Cultural and Human Rights Organization in Auckland, New Zealand, has expressed its deep shock over the demise of Grand Ayatollah Sayyid Abul Qasim Kokaby Tabrizi.

Danish step over Prophet cartoons slightly eases Muslim anger

COPENHAGEN, Denmark: Muslim leaders hailed steps by Denmark on Wednesday to defuse a diplomatic row over newspaper cartoons that portrayed Chief of Prophets, holy Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him and his pure progeny) as a terrorist.

Denmark sees new Muslim everyday

COPENHAGEN, Denmark: A Denmark newspaper reported that everyday there is a new Danish citizen who converts to Islam.

Prophet (p) cartoons … UN criticizes; no change in paper behavior

COPENHAGEN, Denmark: It was an offensive exercise on part of one of Denmark's largest papers Jyllands-Posten to ask cartoonists to draw pictures of the chief of Prophets, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his pure progeny), for publishing in the daily, but apparently no one at the paper imagined the scale of the fallout.

Malmo rally protests against insult to Marja’iyah

MALMO, Sweden: In chilly frosty cold, Iraqis living in different parts of Sweden took to streets of Malmo to protest against a program defamatory to Holy Najaf Marja’iyah aired on Qatar-based Al-Jazeera television.

Brussels witnesses demo against al-Jazeera TV

BRUSSELS, Belgium: A demonstration was held in front of the embassy of Qatar in Brussels Tuesday afternoon to express solidarity with Marjaiyah in the holy city of Najaf.  

ISCHRO flays human rights violations against Shias in Bahrain

AUCKLAND, New Zealand: New Zealand-based International Shia Cultural and Human Rights Organization, ISCHRO, has condemned human rights violations against Bahraini Shias at the hands of government.

Over 1,000 Germans converted to Islam over past year

BERLIN, Germany: The German-based Islam-Archive Central Institute said that for the first time ever, more than 1,000 Germans have converted to Islam over the past 12 months.

Holland: Allegiance to Ahlay Bayt (p) revived marking first Dhil-qada

AMSTERDAM, Holland: With happiness and hearts filled with faith and devotion for Ahlay Bayt-or Rasul (p), Mo’minin in Holland revived their allegiance and sincerity to their infallible A’immah (p) by celebrating birth anniversary of Alawi-Fatimi Nur, daughter of Bab-ol Havaej Al-Imam Mousa bin Jfar Al-Kadhim (p) Sayyidah Fatimah Al-Masumah (p) on first Dhil-qada.

Muslim leaders urge to promote tolerance, EU backs OIC outcome

BIRMINGHAM/ HOLY MAKKA: European Union Presidency, Britain strongly supported the call by the Muslim leaders, at the OIC third extraordinary summit hosted by Saudi Arabia in the holy city of Makkah, for a forward-looking vision for the Muslim world.

Imam As-Sadeq (p) mourned in Netherlands, UK, S Arabia

THE HAGUE, The Netherlands: Martyrdom Anniversary of Al-Imam Jafar bin Muhammad As-Sadeq (p), founder of Fiqh Al-Jafary, was reverently observed in The Netherlands, United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia like other global parts on Shawwal 25.

Muslims in Europe face challenging conditions

VIENNA, Austria: In many member states of the European Union, migrant workers from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America are facing high levels of discrimination.

ISCHRO formed to spread Shia thought

AUCKLAND, New Zealand: International Shia Cultural and Human Rights Organization (ISCHRO) has begun its official activities in the field of culture and human rights for Shias throughout the world.

Erdogan's scarf remark under investigation; HRW flays ECHR ruling

ANKARA, Turkey: Turkey High Court of Appeals’ chief prosecutor Nuri Ok announced that he has started a widespread investigation into Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent comments on the headscarf matter.

Greek Muslims urge govt to build mosque in Athens

ATHENS, Greece: Greek Islamic League’s deputy president Naeem Al Ghandour has urged the Muslims in the country to continue exercising pressure on the Greek authorities to build a mosque in the capital city of Athens.

Unrest spreads across France, peace marches held

PARIS, France: French Interior Ministry said schools were burnt down in Paris and hundreds of cars set on fire in cities across France in a tenth night of rioting in poor suburban areas that went into the early hours of Sunday.

Danish Muslims demand apology on Blasphemous cartoons of Prophet (p)

COPENHAGEN, Denmark: Sacrilegious images of chief of Prophets holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his pure progeny) by Denmark's best-selling newspaper has sent a wave of unrest among Danish Muslims.

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