Shia Community in Lucknow Protests Against Targeting of Minorities in Pakistan

Shia Community in Lucknow Protests Against Targeting of Minorities in Pakistan
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In Lucknow, India, members of the Shia community and religious scholars held a large protest condemning violence and terrorism directed at Shias in Pakistan and calling on the international community to protect religious minorities.

The demonstration took place in front of the Asfi Mosque, where participants highlighted the ongoing targeting of mosques and Hussainiyas in Pakistan, as well as cases of abductions and enforced disappearances of Shia youth. Protesters held extremist groups responsible for these attacks, which they said are carried out under the guise of strict religious edicts.

Speakers also raised concerns about efforts by terrorist organizations to indoctrinate children and recruit them for violent activities, describing such actions as part of long-term plans, sometimes supported by external funding. Participants criticized the silence of major Islamic institutions and organizations in India, alleging bias toward global powers and a failure to take a firm stance against Shia-targeted terrorism.

The protesters urged the United Nations and the international community to take concrete measures to ensure the safety of Shias in Pakistan, emphasizing that any persecution of religious communities should be condemned on both humanitarian and legal grounds.