Shiite Communities Commemorate 13th Anniversary of the Killing of Sheikh Hassan Shehata

Shiite Communities Commemorate 13th Anniversary of the Killing of Sheikh Hassan Shehata
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Shiite Muslims marked the 13th anniversary of the killing of Islamic preacher Sheikh Hassan Shehata, recalling his religious activism and public positions, as well as ongoing concerns about religious freedom and sectarian violence in Egypt.

Sheikh Shehata was killed in June 2013 alongside several of his followers during an attack that occurred while they were marking the birth anniversary of Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him). The incident took place at his home in the village of Abu Musallam, in Giza Governorate, and was widely condemned at the time as a sectarian killing. Egyptian authorities later described the incident as an act of mob violence, and it sparked domestic and international criticism over the protection of religious minorities.

Born in 1946 in the village of Harbeet in Egypt’s Sharqia Governorate, Sheikh Shehata was raised in a Sunni Hanafi family. According to his supporters, he developed an early interest in the teachings of the Holy Prophet’s family and later became known for openly expressing Shiite beliefs in a country where Shiites constitute a small minority.

Sheikh Shehata was active in religious outreach and regularly hosted religious gatherings, while also engaging in theological debates with Salafi and Wahhabi figures. His public profile and outspoken defense of Shiite religious practices reportedly led to repeated harassment and threats prior to his death.

In statements circulated by Shiite groups to mark the anniversary, Sheikh Shehata was described as a symbol of peaceful religious expression and adherence to personal belief. Supporters highlighted his calls for coexistence and his emphasis on devotion to the Prophet’s family as a central element of his faith.

More than a decade after the incident, the killing of Sheikh Shehata continues to be cited by rights advocates as emblematic of the challenges faced by religious minorities in Egypt. Human rights groups and community representatives have renewed calls for stronger protections for freedom of belief, accountability for sectarian violence, and equal treatment of all citizens regardless of religious or sectarian affiliation.