Source: Press TV
The deadly assault was carried out in al-Ahsa, the largest governorate in Saudi Arabia’s restive Eastern Province, leaving more than 30 mourners wounded. The incident followed a wave of attacks against Shia Muslims in the neighboring Iraq.
On Sunday, multiple bomb explosions killed at least 34 Shia pilgrims in the Iraqi capital Baghdad.
Iraqi officials usually blame similar terrorist attacks on Takfiri militants. Baghdad has also pointed the finger at Saudi Arabia, saying Riyadh is funding terrorists operating in Iraq.
Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and 72 of his loyal companions, were martyred in the battle of Karbala against the second Umayyad caliph, Yazid I, in 680 A.D. Imam Hussein was killed after he refused to pledge allegiance to the tyrant ruler.
Mourning services have been in place worldwide since the beginning of Muharram.
The annual Muharram ceremonies, which have been performed for many centuries, symbolize the eternal and unwavering stance of truth against falsehood and humanity’s struggle against injustice, tyranny, and oppression, the cause for which Imam Hussein (PBUH), the third Shia Imam, was martyred.
Iran condemns attack on Ashura in Saudi Arabia
Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham on Tuesday denounced the assault in al-Ahsa, the largest governorate in Saudi Arabia’s restive Eastern Province, which killed five mourners and wounded 30 others on Monday.
She said Muslim and non-Muslim states have always respected the traditional Ashura ceremonies and provided security for the mourners.
Afkham called on the Saudi government to ensure security for people attending religious ceremonies and identify and punish elements behind the terrorist attack in the country.
The attackers shot the victims with pistols and machine guns, the official Saudi Press Agency reported but provided no further details on the identities of the attackers or the victims.
According to the agency, an investigation into the deadly raid is underway.