Updated 16 February 2011

On 12 February 2011, a suicide bomber killed at least 27 people and wounded about 20 on a highway just outside the city of Samarra in Iraq. The attack was carried out on a bus-load of Shia pilgrims who were leaving Samarra after visiting the Holy shrine of our eleventh Imam, Imam Hassan al-Askari (AS).

Among the injured and killed were women and children. 

This was the second suicide bombing this week near Samarra. On Thursday 9 February 2011, at least 8 people were killed and 43 were injured when a car bomb in the town of Dujail struck pilgrims heading to Samarra to commemorate the Wafaat of Imam Hassan al-Askari (AS).

The World Federation condemns all acts of violence against humanity. We pray for all of the individuals who lost their lives during these attacks and pray for the quick and full recovery of those wounded.

In addition to the grave of our 11th Imam, beneath the dome of this Holy Shrine are 3 more graves belonging to:
• Imam Ali al-Naqi (AS) 
• Hakimah Khatoon, the sister of Imam Ali al-Naqi (AS)
• Bibi Nargis Khatoon, the mother of Imam al-Mahdi (AS)

The World Federation of KSIMC is actively involved in the reconstruction of the shrine of Imam Ali al-Naqi (AS) and Imam Hassan al-Askari (AS). More information on this initiative will be available in next week’s newswire.

For more information, please email relief@world-federation.org