A popular shrine in Shiraz, southern Iran, the Shah Cheragh shrine, was the target of an attack on Sunday that left four people dead and many more injured.
According to Iran’s state media, eyewitnesses said two armed men stormed the Shah Cheragh shrine killing some of the guards at the entrance and opened fire inside the shrine.
One of the attackers was reportedly captured by security forces, while the other escaped.
Shah Cheragh shrine, which dates back to the 12th century and contains the tomb of a revered Shia scholar attracts many local and foreign visitors.
The shrine is a symbol of faith, culture, and history for millions of Iranians and revered site for Shia Muslims around the world
It is a magnificent and holy shrine in Shiraz, Iran, that draws many devotees and travelers.
It is the burial site of two brothers, Ahmad and Muhammad, who were the descendants of Imam Musa al-Kadhim and the siblings of Imam Reza.
The shrine is famous for its splendid architecture and sparkling mirror work, which create a captivating effect of light and reflection.
The name Shah Cheragh means “King of the Light” in Persian, and refers to the dazzling mirror work that covers the interior of the shrine.
The shrine also has a mosque, a library, a museum and a theological school.
This was the second attack on the shrine in less than a year.
In October last year, an armed man killed 13 people and wounded 40 others in a similar attack.
Daesh/ISIS claimed responsibility for that attack, which was the worst in Iran in many years.
Two men who were involved in that attack were executed by Iranian authorities in July.
It was the first time that Daesh/ISIS claimed a major attack in Iran since 2017, when a group of five gunmen attacked the Iranian parliament and the mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini, the founder of Iran, in Tehran.
The attacks on Shah Cheragh shrine are a tragic and horrific example of the violence and extremism that afflict the region.
The shrine’s assailants have violated the sanctity of the place and the rights of the devotees, as well as endangered the harmony and security of Iran and its neighbours.
The Islamic State group, which is losing its power and influence in Iraq and Syria, is seeking to spread its influence and operations to other countries, especially those with sectarian strife and conflicts.
The group has also been attacking Shia Muslims in other parts of the world, such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Yemen.