Categories : News

‘Afghanistan’s Shiite Minority Cautiously Embraces Taliban Rule, Seeking Protection,Shiite Taliban fighters now patrol Yakawlang, the site of past atrocities committed by the country’s rulers’
Wall Street Journal, 16.11.21
This article is behind a paywall. There is a link on the page to a free audio of the opening paragraphs of the story.

1 November 2021
It is with a very heavy heart and great sorrow that I have to inform you of the passing away of Professor Mahmoud Ayoub today. He was a mentor, teacher, friend and colleague to many. He was also a colossal figure in Islamic Studies, having written many articles, authored and edited books and taught many, including myself. He was also a very fine human being. He will be missed. May Allah rest his soul in peace and grant him a special place with His chosen ones.

Best Wishes
———————
Dr. Liyakat Takim
Sharjah Chair in Global Islam
Dept of Religious Studies
McMaster University
1280 Main Street West
University Hall, B125
Hamilton, Ontario
Canada, L8S 4K1

(905) 525-9140 ext 20521 (office)
Website: LTakim.com

See also Hartford International University obituary statement.

‘Nearly ten years after Ali al-Nimr was arrested by Saudi authorities in February 2012, he was finally released from prison this week. His mother tweeted a video <https://twitter.com/NasrahAlahmed/status/1453380165388615684?s=20> showing their emotional reunion. But amid the relief and celebration, al-Nimr’s ordeal highlights the cruelty of the Saudi justice system, which the country’s rulers have failed to meaningfully reform.’
Human Rights Watch, 28.10.21

‘Iraq’s Marsh Arabs battle drought and pollution
Posted October 14, 2021
On an island surrounded by the narrow waterways of the Chebayesh Marshes in southern Iraq, Raad Hamid Hashem rises with the sun to milk his herd of water buffalo. But thanks to drought, this summer has been tough for Hashem. Soraya Ali reports.’

EVENT: The Hazara and Shi’a of Afghanistan
Wednesday, October 20
7:30pm EST

Register here for Zoom link:
bit.ly/AfghanVoices

The Shia and Hazara communities in Afghanistan are regularly subjected to targeted killings, violence, and persecution based on their identity as a religious or ethnic minority. In the past 20 years, Hazaras have faced kidnappings, indiscriminate attacks on their schools and hospitals, and targeted bombings of Shia religous and cultural centers by both the Taliban and ISIS. Hazaras faced a genocide under the first Taliban regime from 1995 to 2001; and now with the Taliban back in power, these atrocities will continue to worsen.

This event intends to raise much needed awareness of the plight of the Hazara and Shia communities and to discuss solutions and efforts that allies in the international community should take to protect these vulnerable communities from further persecution under the Taliban.

Co-sponsored by:
Afghan Diaspora for Equality and Progress (ADEP)
Afghans For A Better Tomorrow
American Muslim Bar Association (AMBA)
Shia Racial Justice Coalition
Justice For Muslims Collective

‘Blast at Shi’ite mosque in Afghan city of Kandahar kills dozens’
Reuters, 15 October
See also alJazeera.
See also BBC.

‘Reducing Middle East tensions potentially lessens sectarianism and opens doors for women
Two separate developments involving improved relations between Sunni and Shiite Muslims and women’s sporting rights demonstrate major shifts in how rivalry for leadership of the Muslim world and competition to define Islam in the 21st century is playing out in a world in which Middle Eastern states can no longer depend on the United States coming to their defence.’
James M Dorsey
9 October 2021

KABUL, Oct 8 (Reuters) – A blast tore through a mosque in Afghanistan’s northeastern Kunduz province on Friday, killing and wounding many people, Taliban officials said.
Video footage showed bodies surrounded by debris inside the mosque that is used by people from the minority Shi’ite Muslim community.
See also alJazeera.

Amwaj Media:
Daily Briefing | Exclusive: Grand Imam of Al-Azhar set for historic meeting with top Shiite cleric in Iraq Amwaj.media has learned that the top Sunni scholar will meet with the Shiite supreme religious authority and pray at the holy shrine in Najaf.
See: <https://us7.campaign-archive.com/?e=c16528989a&u=bad46ac1df2d13e609949e861&id=5f37ed5e00>