Stories by Alan Williams

Alan is a Global Affairs major experienced intern who has enhanced his world view by advocating for minority rights. As a young activist who belongs to African American minority group, he has dedicated his professional and academic life to research and writing about minorities who need to be heard, such as Shia Muslims. He has contributed to Shia Rights Watch news section and has conducted research in Yemen and Egypt.

Shia Rights Watch releases video documenting ISIS human rights abuses

WASHINGTON, November 5, 2014 — Last week, Shia Rights Watch released a 9-minute video outlining some of the atrocities perpetrated by ISIS in Iraq. In conjunction with Imam Hussain TV and Laaya Productions, several interviews were conducted with victims of the unfolding disaster in the country. Those interviewed repeated stories of rape, murder, and forced relocation from cities such ...

670 Shia killed at prison and another town laid siege by ISIS

WASHINGTON, August 29, 2014 — Sunday August 24, 2014 the United Nations confirmed that it obtained evidence supporting the claim that 670 Shia inmates in the Badush prison in Mosul on June 10, 2014 according to the Guardian. Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights noted that along with these brutal murders, forced conversions, ...

Word of the week: Anti-Shi’ism

WASHINGTON, August 19, 2014 — Anti-Shi’ism (noun) – Prejudice against or hatred of Shia Muslims. Coined by Shia Rights Watch in 2011, this term describes the wave of discrimination and violence that has crashed against Shia Muslims in recent decades. Shia Muslims comprise between 10 and 20 percent of the world’s Muslim population. They have been the target ...

Shia axed to death in Karachi

WASHINGTON, June 10, 2014 — The Pakistani government has proven yet again that they lack the capacity to protect their own citizens. Militants from the group Sipah-e-Sahaba, also known as Ahl-e-Sunnat-Wal-Jamaat, attacked and killed a member of the Shia community on May 31, 2014. Ali Raza, described as a prominent Shia Muslim in Karachi, was ...

Stand with Shia peaceful protesters in Saudi Arabia

WASHINGTON, June 6, 2014 — The Saudi Arabian government, in full view of the international community, has again abused their power and oil wealth to ensure the world would not cover what is happening in their country. Saudi Arabia brings criminal charges against those who disagree with the government. It has always treated the 15 percent Shia Muslim ...