Cleric Highlights Iranian, Iraqi Scholars’ United Stance on Demolition of Al-Baqi Cemetery
Sheikh Muhammad Karbasi, director of a publication center in Najaf, told IQNA that the appalling tragedy that ran counter to all Islamic values demonstrated the true face of Wahhabis.
He said Muslims all over the world voiced protest to the appalling action when what had happened was revealed in reports published in newspapers at the time.
The cleric added that Shia scholars in Iran and Iraq were among those who stood up against the move and condemned it.
He said Iranian scholars in telegraphs to those in Najaf called for a unified stance in condemnation of the act of desecration and the Najaf scholars approved of it.
This was an example of coordination and interaction among the two countries’ scholars, Karbasi went on to say.
Tuesday marked the 8th day of the lunar Hijri month of Shawwal.
The shrines of Imam Hassan, Imam Sajjad, Imam Baqir, and Imam Sadiq (AS) in Al-Baqi Cemetery were among those demolished at the order of King Ibn Saud on the 8th of Shawwal in the year 1344 AH (1925).
In the same year (1925), he also demolished the tombs of holy personalities at Jannat al-Mualla (Makkah) where the Holy Prophet Muhammad's (PBUH) mother, wife, grandfather and other ancestors are buried.
The destruction of the sacred sites in Saudi Arabia by the Saudis continues even till today. The only reason for the destruction by the Wahhabis is to erase history and defame Islam at any cost.
They have no respect or regards for civilization, history or religion. The destruction of these sites that are linked with early Islam has been occurring mainly in the Hijaz region of western Saudi Arabia, particularly around Mecca and Medina.
The demolitions have focused on mosques, burial sites, homes and historical sites that are associated with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
