Press Release: Bombings in Iraq and Pakistan expose implications of takfiri ideology

5 February 2010

Today’s bombings in the Iraqi holy city of Karbala, and similar events in Pakistan, aimed mainly at Shia Muslims’ annual Arbaeen commemorations, are a reminder of the threat posed by Wahhabi-inspired takfiri ideology to Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

The attack, like many others carried out in recent years, was executed by individuals who believe that the Shia, on account of their love and veneration for the family of the prophet Mohammed, are not Muslim and should be killed. Such attacks are the direct result of Saudi-inspired takfiri ideology which continues to sow intolerance, hatred and ultimately violence.

Sadly, this ideology is not confined to the Middle East and countries like Pakistan . Similar Wahhabi-influenced thinking remains prominent in many British Muslim communities – and particularly in mosques and institutions influenced or funded by Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states .

Tensions between Shia and Wahhabi-influenced Muslims are also increasingly being seen on many British university campuses. For example, several university Islamic societies have regularly hosted events specifically denouncing Shia Muslims and have refused to stock Shia-authored books in supposedly ‘multi-faith’ campus prayer-rooms. They have also turned a blind eye to verbal abuse of Shia Muslim individuals. In some cases, this intolerance has led to Shia Muslim students being forced to leave these Islamic Societies and set up their own Shia-friendly ones.

A Quilliam spokesman said:

‘Today’s attack is a sad indictment of the problems of intolerance that exist within sections of Muslim communities worldwide. Such bombings are the end-result of an ideology built on bigotry and intolerance. This Wahhabi-inspired intolerance is not just a problem for Muslims alone – it is part of a broader mindset that cannot tolerate dissenting opinion or belief.

‘British Muslims need to be more vocal in condemning Muslim-on-Muslim violence and challenging the mindset behind all such terrorism. We cannot wait for more terrorist atrocities to occur before we act.’

Ali H. Alyami, Ph. D.

Executive Director, The Center for Democracy and Human Rights in Saudi Arabia

1050 17 St. NW Suite 1000

Washington , DC 20036

Tel:  (202) 558-5552  (202) 558-5552;  (202) 413-0084  (202) 413-0084; Fax: (202) 536-5210

ali@cdhr.info; www.cdhr.info