Iraq condemns desecration of holy site in Syria by militants

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has condemned the desecration of the ancient grave of a Shia Muslim figure near the Syrian capital by foreign-sponsored militants.

In a statement issued by his office, Maliki described the attack as a “mean act” that targeted the unity among Muslims, Iraqi media reported on Thursday.

According to reports by online media, anti-Syria militants have attacked the mausoleum and grave of Hujr ibn Adi in the Damascus suburb of Adra, and taken his remains to an unknown location.
“The targeting of the Great Companion’s shrine stands for targeting the Muslims’ cohesion,” the statement added.

Hujr – a close companion of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and a staunch supporter of the first Shia Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (PBUH) – led the army of Muslims to victory in several crucial battles.

He and his sons were murdered on the orders of the Umayyad Caliph Muawiyah in the year 660 CE.