Iraq arrests 47 members of sect that encourages suicide to increase spirituality

Security authorities in Iraq announced the arrest of 47 members of the Qurban movement in a number of southern governorates of the country, confirming that they have been referred to the judiciary to be investigated regarding their activities.

Religious groups have recently become active in a number of Iraqi governorates, especially the southern Dhi Qar Governorate, including the Qurban or Allahiyah group, which carries out harsh and extremist rituals that include offering people as sacrifices to Imam Ali Bin Abi Talib through suicide.

In a statement, the Iraqi National Security Service said yesterday: “In continuation of the National Security Service’s work on the file of deviant behavioural movements, especially the Qurban group, and based on accurate intelligence information, and intensifying technical and field efforts, a force from the service in Muthanna Governorate was able to arrest 20 suspects from the movement, including those known as Al-Aref, a name given to the theorists of this movement or the informers and preachers.”

“Our units in the governorates of Dhi Qar, Wasit and Maysan were also able to arrest 27 suspects belonging to the movement,” it added, noting that “they were all referred to the competent authorities and the necessary measures were taken against them.”

The Iraqi National Security Service announced early last July that it had infiltrated the Qurban group, whose members promote deviant ideas that involve a lottery, with those being chose having to commit suicide as a sacrifice to the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him)’s cousin, Imam Ali.

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