Sunni jihad against Shi’ites. “Bomber Attacks Procession,” from SkyNews, with thanks to Twostellas:
At least 27 Shi’ite Muslims have been killed in a suicide bomb attack on a religious procession in northern Pakistan.
The attack in Hangu came on the day of Ashura, Shia Muslims’ most important holy day.
Five people were also killed in Afghanistan in clashes between Shi’ite and Sunni Muslims.
In Pakistan, Maulana Khurshid Anwar, a leader of the Shi’ite procession, said one of the blasts was near a stage from where he was about to address the mourners.
Angry Shi’ites rampaged through the town, which is about 200 miles south of Islamabad, burning down a bazaar.
Pakistan has suffered Islamist sectarian violence for years, most of it directed by majority Sunni Muslims against Shi’ites.
Ashura marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, a grandson of the Prophet Mohammed.
Tensions tend to rise during the month of Moharram, the 10-day period ending with Ashura.
Shi’ites take to streets in big processions during Moharram, beating themselves with sharpened chains to mourn the death of Hussain, Mohammed’s grandson and Ali’s son, in a battle in Iraq in 680 AD.
In Afghanistan, clashes broke out in Herat between Shi’ite and Sunni Muslims.
Two mosques were torched by gunmen.