Shia Muslims launch global campaign renewing demands to rebuild Al-Baqi Cemetery on Imam al-Sadiq’s martyrdom
On the occasion of the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him), Shi’a Muslims, religious activists, and human rights organizations worldwide have renewed their calls for the reconstruction of the graves of the revered Imams buried in the al-Baqi cemetery in Medina.
The campaign, highlighted by Shia Waves Agency, has gained significant traction across multiple countries, with participants urging the Saudi government to end nearly a century of neglect. The graves of four prominent Shia Imams — Imam al-Hasan, Imam Zayn al-Abidin, Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, and Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq (peace be upon them) — were demolished in 1925 under the influence of Wahhabi and Salafi ideologies. Activists argue that this act deprived the Muslim Ummah of an essential religious and historical heritage.
Protesters condemned what they described as the Saudi government’s ongoing disregard for Islamic values, noting that the continued destruction stems from extremist fatwas that fuel division and sectarianism. “It is a disgrace that these sacred sites remain in ruins,” they said, urging Muslims globally to raise their voices and demand restoration.
Grand Ayatollah Sayyed Sadiq al-Husseini al-Shirazi, a prominent Shia religious authority, constantly issues strong statements condemning the demolition, describing the destruction of the shrines as an enduring violation of Islamic sanctities and stressed that silence in the face of such injustice amounts to complicity.
In a message published on his official website on this occasion, the Grand Marja’ stated, “The disgraceful aggression remains as long as Al-Baqi remains desolate,” emphasizing that rebuilding the shrines is a religious and moral duty and a sign of loyalty to the Ahlulbayt (peace be upon them). He called for unity among Muslims to right this historical wrong and restore the sanctity of al-Baqi.
