Shi’ite Imam: We are about spiritual purification

IT IS a Western concept that Shi’ite or Shia Muslims are evil and wicked, but history doesn’t prove that. As a matter of fact they are a peaceful, loving community about “spiritual purification.” That is according to Imam Abdul Kareem Ibrahim of the E-Zamara Mission, which comprises about 500 members of the Shi’ite Muslims. The mission is based at the corner of Prince and Nelson Streets, Port-of-Spain with a branch at Cumuto. They celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr yesterday at the Valsayn Teachers College.

Speaking to Newsday prior to the Eid prayers, Imam Ibrahim said even in Iran and Iraq where the Shi’ite’s are in the majority, there are lots of “passive” Muslims. He said there was a concept in Western societies that “all Muslims are terrorists,” and “Western world modern day theory suggests that Shi’ites are violent.” But Imam Ibrahim said “history doesn’t prove that.” He said the local Shi’ites have never received much publicity over the years, since “we are not really politically oriented, but support good governance.” He said all Muslims had a contribution to make, especially embracing the youths who seem to have lost their way. He said the current problems facing the country could not be solved by more police and equipment, but rather “we need more spirituality where families come together.”

Delivering the sermon at the prayers was Pakistani missionary, Moazzar Ali, who has been living here for the last six years. He reminded the congregation that Eid was a time to “clean up your hearts and give thanks to Allah.” He said “today is your thanksgiving. This is your time to pray and give thanks, for a blessed and glorious day, where some of you may ask forgiveness, for purity, to sustain yourselves and save us from the hell fire.” The celebration was to include a cultural programme culminating with an Eid dinner.