India: Shia ulemas to devise strategy to combat evil acts that harm Shia Muslims’ religious sensibilities

Shia ulemas from across India will gather on Saturday for the fourth Ahl-e-Bait conference to pay tribute to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai tragedy and to devise a strategy to combat evil acts that harm Shia Muslims’ religious sensibilities.

Prominent Shia cleric from Lucknow, Maulana Saif Abbas was reported saying, “The objective of this conference is to promote communal harmony and oppose terrorism. Lahore is sending anti-social elements in Lucknow to hurt the sentiments of Shia.”

Pakistan has become a breeding ground for terrorist organizations such as Sipah e Sahaba and Al-Qaeda, which continue to target the Shia people, he added.

There is a population of eight crores Shia in the country of which the majority lives in Uttar Pradesh. Maulana Jafar Abbas expressed concern about the spread of terrorism around the world, saying, Saudi Arabia is a big supporter of terrorism. Pakistani terrorist organizations receive money from Saudi Arabia to harm innocent people, he said.

Maulana Jafar Abbas expressed concern about the spread of terrorism around the world, saying, Saudi Arabia is a big supporter of terrorism. Pakistani terrorist organizations receive money from Saudi Arabia to harm innocent people, he said.

The Shia population in India is dispersed unevenly. Shia neighborhoods can be found in major cities such as Lucknow, Hyderabad, Murshidabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Mysore, Bhopal, Chennai, and Bangalore.

India is the only non-Muslim country in the world with a Shia population that accounts for 1-2 percent of the total population.

The conference is being held at Shia College in Naqkhas by the All India Shia Hussaini Fund (AISHF).