Barabanki/Lucknow,

01 March (HS): A wave of worry swept through numerous families here as they

sought to contact loved ones, especially students and Islamic scholars residing

in Qom, Iran, which is under siege by the US and Israel. According to local

reports, at least eight Barabanki residents are now studying religion in Iran. Maulana

Zafar Abbas alias Faizi, Maulana Abid Husain Kazmi, Maulana Ali Mehdi Rizvi,

Maulana Syed Kashimi Rizvi Zaidpuri, Fatima Rabab, Mohammad Raza, Mohammad Kazim,

Maulana Faiz Bakri of Jauras, and Maulana Ali Mehdi are among those from Iran. According

to relatives, communication with some of them was made for a short period of

time before being interrupted, raising family concerns. Maulana Abbas Mehdi Sadaf

said that his elder brother, Maulana Zafar Abbas Faizi, is studying at Qom.

We chatted with him following the incident. He

informed us that the strike occurred near Qom's border. Sadaf stated that the

situation had been stabilized and that citizens were roaming freely on the

streets. Advocate Dilkash Rizvi stated that the entire family has been greatly

concerned since learning of the attacks. We were able to communicate with a few

people at first, but contact has been impossible since, he claimed. Relatives

have gathered at mosques to pray for the protection of their loved ones, they

added. Affected families have urged the Indian government to protect the safety

of students and intellectuals in Iran and to take the necessary actions to

assure their safe return.

On March 1, large crowds gathered across old

Lucknow to condemn the United States and Israel's combined military attacks

that killed Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Shia community

condemned the attacks and called for worldwide justice. Shia cleric Maulana

Yasub Abbas characterized the assassination as extremely regrettable for the

world community. He remarked, It is extremely unfortunate. The

world believes that murdering Khamenei will bring Iran's downfall. America and

Israel will receive a proper response from Iran. Large-scale rallies and

demonstrations will take place in Lucknow's Imambara today at 8.30 PM. The All

India Shia Personal Law Board has declared a three-day mourning period during

which we shall all wear black and display black flags at our homes.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi