Iraq scholars conference demands strict security for Arbaeen

By: Hamoud Kufi

BAGHDAD, Iraq: Around 350 religious scholars, Friday prayer leaders and orators from across the country gathered in Baghdad’s Palestine hotel to discuss different issues of Iraq including country’s future and security arrangements on the upcoming Arbaeen-e-Husseini.

The conference, held on Muharram 18, March 11, was also attended by representatives of Ayatullah Ali As-Sistani, Ayatullah Ash-Shirazi, Ayatullah As-Sayyid Al-Modarresi, Moqtada As-Sadr and Sheikh Al-Yaqoubi.

Prayer-caller of Husseini Shrine and renowned Quran-reciter Al-Haaj Mostapha As-Sarraf opened the conference with recitation of holy Quran followed by poetic homage to Al-Imam Al-Hussein (p) by prominent poets As-Sayyid Saed As-Safi and Rahim Al-Maliki.

Hojjatul Islam wal Muslimeen As-Sayyid Ebrahim Shabbar, Ayatullah Hadi Al-Modarresi and Allamah Ash-Sheikh Abdul Karim Al-Haeri delivered speeches.

The conference urged officials to set their priorities in accordance with the needs of Iraqi people. Condemning Ashoura attacks in which at least 271 husseini mourners were martyred, the conference called for strict security arrangements on the oncoming occasion of Arbaeen-e-Hussein, or the 40th day after the martyrdom of Al-Imam Al-Hussein bin Ali bin Abi Talib (p).

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