US conspiring to divide Shias

Lucknow, Jan 5 (UNI) All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) Vice President Maulana Kalbe Sadiq today referring to the execution of deposed Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, alleged a conspiracy by ''imperialistic and fascist forces'' to disturb peace between the Muslim community.

In his speech before the Friday prayers at the Asafi Masjid here, prominent Shia Cleric Maulana Sadiq appealed to the community to stay ''alert and united''.

''The US and its allies are worried over the unity among Muslims on the Palestine issue. Therefore, they have hatched a conspiracy to create a wedge between the Shias and Sunnis, and Saddam was hanged under the same gameplan...The community should be wary of these nefarious designs,'' he said.

The Shia leader claimed that after ''plundering'' Afghanistan, Iraq and other nations, now Iran is on the radar of the US.

''In present circumstances, the US considers unity in Muslim world a big hurdle to execute its plan and wants to create distrust between Shias and Sunnis globally, so that Iran stands isolated,'' he noted.

The cleric suggested the Muslims follow the path shown in the holy Koran and stay united at all cost.

UNI