Kargil: President Jamiatul Ulama Isna Asharia Kargil, Ladakh, Hojatul Islam Sheikh Nazir Mehdi Mohammadi, addressed the 57th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council Virtually raising concerns over the escalating persecution of Shia Muslims in Pakistan and other countries. In his powerful adress, he called upon the international community to take action against sectarian violence and human rights violations in these regions.
Sheikh Nazir Mehdi Mohammadi began by shedding light on the ongoing persecution in Pakistan, where Shia Muslims, comprising approximately 20% of the population, have been subjected to relentless target killings by extremist groups like Sipah-e-Sahaba and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. He specifically mentioned the assassinations of prominent Shia leaders, such as Allama Arif Hussaini and Dr. Mohammad Ali Naqvi, as tragic examples of this targeted violence. Furthermore, he highlighted the systematic attacks on Shia communities in cities like Quetta, Karachi, and Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as the continuous blockades and sieges faced by the Shia population in Parachinar.
Sheikh Mohammadi also spoke about the problems /discrimination and persecution faced by the Shia community in countries like Afghanistan,Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. He ,while condemning them for not allowing the Shia clerics / human rights defenders in performing their duties stressed that longstanding issues may be resolved in a peaceful manner.
In his closing remarks, Hojatul Islam Sheikh Nazir Mehdi Mohammadi made a fervent plea to the international community, urging the United Nations, human rights organizations, and governments worldwide to hold these countries accountable for their actions and to put an end to the persecution of Shia Muslims. He called for global efforts to ensure justice, peace, and equality for Shia communities facing oppression.
