The arrest of Shia clerics in Pakistan creates atmosphere of tension during the month of Muharram
It seems that the situation of arrests of Shia clerics in a number of Pakistani cities has become a phenomenon that recurs annually during the month of Muharram.
It seems that the situation of arrests of Shia clerics in a number of Pakistani cities has become a phenomenon that recurs annually during the month of Muharram.
A few days ago, the Pakistani authorities arrested a number of clerics under the pretext of spreading sectarianism among members of Pakistani society in addition to gag orders for 900 clerics had been issued for 60 days to maintain peace during Muharram.
In the city of Lahore and the Punjab district of Pakistan, there has become tight control over the revival of the mourning ceremonies for Imam Hussein, peace be upon him. Anti-Islamists took advantage of the diversity between the Islamic sects of Sunnis and Shias to ignite confrontations between them, which was confirmed by the Secretary General of the Muslim Unity Council Abd al-Khaliq Asadi, who emphasized that there are elements that are fueling disputes.
According to a statement published by “thenews” news agency, Asadi denounced these arrests and what some elements are doing to ignite the crises, stressing that his organization will not remain silent about targeting Shia clerics.
The arrests of clerics faced great reactions and denunciations, as the media official at the Pakistani Scholars Association Rashid Ahmad Rizvi said, “The country has become a target for hostile plots that wanted to ignite sectarian riots in the country.”
Rizvi expressed his regret at what the government is doing to arrest senior peaceful religious scholars who did not indulge in sectarianism, he said.
It is reported that Pakistani regions, including the city of Havelian, revived the Ashura ceremonies of Imam Hussein, peace be upon him, in complete peace, under the supervision and care of the city police, without experiencing any sectarian tension or conflict.
