Arya Dipa, Bandung – Thousands of members of the Indonesian Ahlul Bait Association (IJABI), which represents minority Shia Muslims, observed Asyura Day peacefully in Bandung, West Java, on Saturday.

IJABI executive Samsudin Baharudin said that dozens of Islam Defenders Front (FPI) members arrived at the Lucky Star Convention Hall, where the Asyura commemoration took place, and demanded that the Shia community call off the meeting.

IJABI members, however, ignored the FPI members and continued with the commemoration. "There is nothing wrong with observing Asyura. It is not against Islamic law," he said.

Samsudin said that IJABI members in Bandung were considered lucky to be able to celebrate Asyura without widespread rejection from the local community. According to Samsudin, IJABI members in several cities were barred from commemorating Asyura.

Muslims celebrate Asyura Day on the 10th day of the first month of the Islamic calendar to commemorate the death of Imam Hosein, Prophet Muhammad's grandson and the third imam of Shia who was killed during the battle of Kerbala. (lfr)