Imam Hussein Mosque in Cairo was closed by Egyptian Endowment Ministry
Imam Hussein Mosque in Cairo was closed by Egyptian Endowment Ministry on the eve of Ashura as Shia Muslims were preparing to hold mourning ceremonies there.
According to reports, the mosque is closed from Thursday to Saturday, which marks Ashura.
During Muharram, the first month in the lunar Hirji calendar, Shia Muslims around the world hold ceremonies to mourn the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, peace be upon him, and his companions in the Battle of Karbala in the year 680 AD.
Egyptian Shias have slammed the government’s move to close the mosque on the eve of Ashura.
An Egyptian senior Shia figure described the move as illogical and indefensible.
He regretted that the government takes similar unacceptable stances towards Ashura ceremonies every year.
The Arab country has been witnessing a rise in hate crimes against Shias, which observers believe is due to the widespread anti-Shia propaganda by Wahhabi and Salafist elements.
