On Friday evening I started to get reports in of an incident in Rawalpindi, Pakistan as Shia Muslims took part in a procession marking the religious festival of Ashura. This annual event commemorates the anniversary of the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.

One source claimed a Shia procession was passing by a Mosque, Ghulam Ullah Masjid, and the cleric requested them to tread carefully to avoid harming people in the congregational Friday prayer. It is claimed some took the request from the cleric as an insult and claimed they were being abused with hate speech from the mosque. Violence then erupted between Sunni and Shia muslims leading to the storming of a religious seminary in Raja Bazaar.

The Mosque which was situated on the first floor was set on fire including dozens of shops on the ground floor beneath. Terrified persons inside are said to have begged the Pakistani Police & Paramilitary-Rangers to save them. The level of intervention from the Rawalpindi law enforcement is unclear though one source alleged troops turned a blind eye to those attacked. Fighting appears to have involved, knives, stones and guns with estimates of those injured varying between 70 and 100 and may have included children. The “official” death toll at 9 though some claim numbers are higher.

There were concerns that outside agitators may be involved or organized militias. Journalists are said to have been attacked and cameras smashed. The army was also called in to deal with disturbances reported in the Multan and Bhawalnagar districts of Punjab province with 25 injured in Multan. Cell phone services were blocked in Rawalpindi as a security measure. In addition the Pakistani authorities imposed a curfew which was halted for three hours on Saturday and lifted on Monday morning.

Images of alleged victims which appeared on social media sites

There is anger from many at what they view as a media “black-out”. Associated Press of Pakistan recording of events can be viewed on the following link  http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=249532&Itemid=2 

With tensions running high it was clear from speaking to journalists in the region that some fear writing on such divisions in a country where they not only experience verbal threats but risk physical violence on a regular basis with murders not uncommon.

On Saturday, Chairman Imran Khan, Pakistan, Tehreek -e- Insaf (PTI) expressed his grave concern over the incitement to sectarian violence that is spreading across the country. He appealed to the people of Pakistan for a show of unity across the land stating,

“Those who are spreading this message of hatred amongst Muslims are clearly enemies of Islam and Pakistan and are deliberately destroying the stability and peace of the country. PTI condemns all such agendas”

Khan had planned to visit hospitals in Rawalpindi but was not allowed to enter from any point. A press conference was also postponed. Madrassa students were photographed marching, trying to reach Liaqat bagh for funeral prayers despite curfew.

Maulana Rehman  Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) stated that the Rawalpindi tragedy proved a failure of the security agencies alleging a conspiracy against the country and that the government must uncover who was responsible for the violence.

A photographic image shared on social media on Saturday seemed to symbolize the anger and frustration felt by many again highlighting divisions. The photo which appeared in Dawn and Al Jazeera articles on Rawalpindi and was labelled as “Pakistani Shiite Muslims assist an injured Sunni Muslim following clashes during an Ashura procession in Rawalpindi on November 15, 2013 (AFP, Aamir Qureshi).” Many claimed the image was a false representation. The blood stained man had clearly been attacked (that could be seen on a video where he was surrounded by a mob). What wasn’t clear was exactly who or how many had attacked him and who and how many (if any) had assisted him and what was his fate.

Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) stated they will take revenge for this attack and questioned, where is media who take issues against Taliban but don’t see see the brutal acts of Shia.

Back in 2013, the Shia, Hazara were on the receiving end of a bomb in Quetta which killed 84 and injuring 169 people. Sunni militant group Laskhar-e-Jhangvi claimed responsibility for the bombing For several days mourners refused to bury their dead protesting at a lack of protection from local and national forces, in the face of repeated attacks.

In a new video release from Omar Khalid Khorasani following events in Rawalpindi which will strike fear in many, he delivers an invitation to start an Arab like uprising which he states will be fully supported by Taliban. The TTP leader, Mohmand Agency, terms the Rawalpindi incident as similar to Red Mosque attack under the supervision of Army and alleges that army has also supervised and planned this recent altercation. Taliban highlight what they see as Pakistan selling out to US, aid and dollars. They criticise media coverage of events in Pakistan claiming biased representation. TTP also claim casualty figures in Rawalpindi are far higher than reported.

Geo News reported that a judicial commission has been formed to investigate what happened in Rawalpindi. Lahore High Court (LHC) Judge, Justice Mamoon Rashid Shaikh will head the commission called for by the Punjab government. In an article in the Express Tribune today the following statement appears;

“According to sources, the provincial government convinced the Deobandi scholars to calm down their followers and avoid any reactionary measures in response to the Rawalpindi incident, such as calling strikes or protest rallies. In return, the government assured the religious leaders that it would bear all expenses for the reconstruction of shops and buildings burnt down during the violence, and provide some compensation to the families of these victims”

http://tribune.com.pk/story/633073/rawalpindi-violence-lhc-forms-commission-to-probe-incident/

Abdullah Khan, Director of Conflict Monitoring Centre expressed his thoughts,

“Sectarian rift in the society has deep roots….. Hate speech is the root cause of the issue but we lecture society to be tolerant without addressing root cause. One can never show tolerance when his dear ones are abused. Lets campaign for banning hate speech and tolerance will be ultimate result.” 

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

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