Hundreds of Shias attend ‘anti-terrorism’ rally in Washington D.C.

Hundreds of Shia Muslims marched on the annual occasion of Arbaeen

Hundreds of Shia Muslims marched on the annual occasion of Arbaeen and chanted anti-terrorism slogans from Dupont Circle to the White House as tourists and passersby gazed.

Connecticut Avenue was a sea of black as Shia mostly from the D.C. region waved banners with the name of their spiritual forefather, Imam Hussain, peace be upon him, pounding their chests as an expression of mourning.

Some American Muslim groups and prominent U.S. Muslims have been making extra public efforts since the recent terrorism-related killings in San Bernardino, California, to speak against the so-called Islamic State terrorist group and radical Islam.

Many of the signs echoed the views of marchers – that Shia are victims of ISIS, and in particular of the Wahhabi branch of Islam that dominates Saudi Arabia. The front row of the marchers was a group of young boys holding poster boards with words such as “Americans unite against Wahhabi terrorism,” “Muslims against ISIS” and “American Shia Muslims stand with the victims of San Bernardino.”