The Askariya Mosque and the Muslim Ummah

The desecration of the Holy Askariya Mosque is a painful sight to all lovers and followers of the Prophet and his family. My condolence to all of you on this tragedy.

We are at a very sensitive juncture of history. Our collective actions as Muslims and as people of conscience are largely going to determine our future. The two attacks on the Askariya Mosque were evidently aimed at furthering sectarian violence and destabilizing Iraq. Perhaps even aimed at spilling sectarian violence out of the Iraqi borders into neighboring countries. It is difficult to ascertain who perpetrated these crimes. But it is clear that the situation in Iraq only worsened after the last attack on February 22, 2006. That is what the perpetrators wanted. The occupying forces are ultimately responsible for the protection of the civilians and the holy sites. They have obviously failed so far.

Iraqis need to take charge of their future in their hands. Only through unity can they defeat the plots of those who wish to divide them. And only through peace can they speak out to those who wish to provoke violence. The Muslim Ummah needs to send a resounding message to the Iraqi people and to all the people of the world - Muslims and Non-Muslims alike - that all Muslims are united and cannot allow such violence to be perpetrated in their name. The Muslim Ummah should denounce the sacrilege of all holy sites and the bloodshed of innocent lives across Iraq. And they should urge all people of conscience to join them in this cause.

The three images show the sacrilege of the Askariya Shrine after the two attacks. From top to bottom: a) Taken in Feb 2004, b) Taken after Feb 22, 2006, c) Taken on June 13, 2007.