RNA - The black-clad procession numbered more than 2,000 and stretched almost a kilometre, led by women in chadors and green headbands chanting, “down with Isis” and “Hussain is for peace”.
At the lead was a large sign linking Imam Hussain’s death at the battle of Karbala in AD680 at the hands of the caliph Yazid to the death of Jesus and new threats from terrorists in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Oppressors attacked Jesus Christ to crucify him, but he was victorious. After centuries, similar people attacked Imam Hussain to demolish truth and justice, but he was victorious,” the sign read.
“Today, terrorists have risen again. Who will be victorious over them?”
Forty-seven-year-old Rasoul Al Mousawi is recovering from surgery after being shot in the shoulder with pellets outside a prayer hall in Sydney’s south-west on Monday morning.
Al Mousawi’s wife told Guardian Australia he was still in hospital but in good condition. She added that she was shaken by the incident, but did not fear for her safety.
Witnesses said the prayer hall had been targeted by supporters of the militia group Islamic State (Isis) in the hours before the shooting, and that a security guard had been attacked by adherents of the conservative Wahhabi sect of Sunni Islam on Friday.
“We know we’re a target and we have to be vigilant, but we also understand that these people [Isis supporters] are a minority,” one marcher, Husayn Al-Ramadani, said.
“There’s no sectarian thing that’s going to explode in Australia. We want to live in harmony with other Muslims and the wider Australian community.
“We’re very fortunate to live in Australia and to have the religious freedoms that come with that.”
Al-Ramadani said Husayn’s death at the hands of Yazid, had parallels with the fight against Isis.
“Husayn was massacred by people who believed they are Muslims, who believed they are the true Islam. Similarly if you asked members of Isis, they’d say they are on the right path,” he said.
“Sadly they’re misguided. Our religion has been hijacked by thugs.”
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