Shia woman establishes Islamic association, husseiniya in US city of Seattle

Zahra al-Obeidi, an Iraqi-Pakistani Shia Muslim living in the US state of Washington, has successfully founded a religious association and Husseiniyah in Seattle to hold the Holy Husseini rituals with the community members in the city.

In a statement published on the Husseiniyah’s official website, al-Obeidi said that “The establishment of such an association stems from the need to unite our efforts and our religious, cultural and social presence as Shia Muslims within the American society.”

Al-Obaidi explained that “the American Islamic Association was founded in the year (2018) by four people only; with the aim of building a community center that meets the spiritual, cultural and social needs of Shia Muslims, as well as a source for non-Muslims who want to learn about Islam,” indicating that “one of the main goals of the association is to educate the western public on the issue of Imam Hussein, peace be upon him.”

She added that “In 2019, the Association purchased a new piece of land with an area of (5.5 acres) was purchased in 2019, as the number of the Association members is now 250,” adding that “our main goal is to be an ideal community that pleases Allah Almighty and His messenger, peace be upon him and his family.”

She concluded her statement saying: “The Association sent two Christian pastors to the holy city of Karbala to participate in the Holy Arbaeen and to experience its spiritual atmosphere; namely, Pastor John Shek from the Presbyterian Church, who visited Karbala in 2018, and the director of the North Lake Lutheran Church last year (2022).”