Shiite Muslims
Millions of Shiite Muslims across the world commemorate the mourning day of Ashoura
By Amir Vahdat — July 28, 2023
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — In Afghanistan, the Taliban cut mobile phone services in key cities holding commemorations for fear of militants targeting Shiites, whom Sunni extremists consider heretics.
Lebanon’s unique religious diversity is under threat
By Knox Thames — May 8, 2023
(RNS) — The influx of more than 1 million Syrian refugees, hyperinflation and government impotency have created existential challenges.
Iraqis heed cleric’s plea to leave streets after clashes
By Samya Kullab and Qassim Abdul-zahra — August 30, 2022
BAGHDAD (AP) — Following two days of unrest that resulted in at least 30 deaths, cleric Muqtada al-Sadr told his supporters to leave the government quarter where they had rallied.
Officials: Landslide at Shiite shrine in Iraq kills 8
By Associated Press — August 22, 2022
BAGHDAD (AP) – Iraqi officials say a landslide collapsed the ceiling of a Shiite shrine near the holy city of Karbala, killing at least seven people.
Confronting anti-Shia hate is necessary to prevent killings like Albuquerque’s
By Faiyaz Jaffer — August 18, 2022
(RNS) — Shia Muslims often feel isolation and vulnerability in a world where we struggle to find a sense of belonging.
Shiite Muslims in Mideast mark solemn holy day of Ashoura
By Mehdi Fattahi — August 8, 2022
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Security forces, particularly in Taliban-run Afghanistan, were on high alert for any violence. In the past, bloody attacks have marred the festival across in the Middle East, as Sunni extremists who view the Shiites as heretics seize on the holy day to target large gatherings of mourners.
Followers of cleric told to withdraw from Iraq’s parliament
By Samya Kullab — August 3, 2022
BAGHDAD (AP) — In a tweet, a representative of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr told the hundreds of loyalists to leave the parliament building in the capital of Baghdad within 72 hours.
EXPLAINER: What’s behind the storming of Iraq’s parliament?
By Qassim Abdul-zahra and Samya Kullab — July 29, 2022
BAGHDAD (AP) - Wednesday's storming of parliament came after al-Sadr's Tehran-backed political rival, former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, nominated a pro-Iran politician to be Iraq's new leader.
Followers of cleric enter Iraqi parliament in show of force
By Ali Abdul-hassan and Samya Kullab — July 28, 2022
BAGHDAD (AP)– Followers of influential Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr breached Baghdad’s parliament on Wednesday in the largest protest since Iraq's federal elections in October.
Iraqi cleric shows power as thousands attend mass prayer
By Qassim Abdul-zahra — July 18, 2022
BAGHDAD (AP) — The event was among the largest gatherings of al-Sadr’s followers after the U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003.
IS claims Pakistan bombing that kills 56 at Shiite mosque
By Riaz Khan and Kathy Gannon — March 4, 2022
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Scores of victims were peppered with shrapnel, several had limbs amputated and others were injured by flying debris.
How ethnic and religious divides in Afghanistan are contributing to violence against minorities
By Abdulkader Sinno — October 25, 2021
(The Conversation) — A scholar of Afghan affairs explains the religious affiliations of different ethnic groups in Afghanistan and why they may not share a common understanding of Islam.
Taliban say they won’t work with US to contain Islamic State
By Kathy Gannon — October 11, 2021
Senior Taliban officials and U.S. representatives are meeting this weekend in Doha, the capital of Qatar. Officials from both sides have said issues include reining in extremist groups and the evacuation of foreign citizens and Afghans from the country.
Bombing hits Pakistan Shiite procession, killing at least 3
By Asim Tanveer — August 19, 2021
MULTAN, Pakistan (AP) — The annual commemoration mourns the 7th century death of Prophet Muhammad’s grandson Hussein, one of Shiite Islam’s most beloved saints.
Saudi man executed in Shiite-populated east for rebellion
By Associated Press — August 4, 2021
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia announced the execution Tuesday of a man it said had been found guilty of armed rebellion in the Shiite populated eastern region of Qatif.
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