Shiite theology schools widely spread in Tartus: activists

Reporting by Faris al-Refai; Translation by Yusra Ahmed

(Zaman Al Wasl)- Activists in Tartus reported ongoing suspicious attempts to change the demographic, religious and sectarian structure in the city, via moving lands and properties to Shiite, under the support of Mohammed Abdul Sattar, the Minister of Awqaf.

Ahrar Tartus coordinating mentioned that the Minister cooperates with highest ranked Shiite figures in Qom to reactivate the sleeping cells of Shiite missionaries and schools “Hawza”, were established at the era of Hafez al-Assad, the former Syrian President, to enhance joining Shiite sect.

Makram Saleh, an activist confirmed that establishing those Shiite teaching schools “Hawza” is managed under Mohammed al-Sayyed’s supervision, with help of Hezbollah militias, besides Iranian religious figures. “Iran covers all the financial and technical cost, while regime provides the security and legal cover”

The activist mentioned that there are big amount of arms and Shiite sect books in those schools “Hawza”, as sometimes it felt like an arms store.

“Hawza coordinates buying lands and properties for Iranian and Lebanese Shiite at high prices” activist added.

A source mentioned that selling properties to Shiite people gets finished smoothly and easily because of the high prices or as a result of intimidation by Shabiha and regime's militias.

Saleh mentioned that thousands of kilometers of land were sold to Iranian people in Tartus countryside, which started to annoy farmers.

The activist mentioned that claims of building resorts and restaurants usually used to convince people to sell their properties.

“The ownership of an area of land between the sea and the mountain is unknown besides other areas under the control of the Awqaf Directorate in Tartus, are being given to Shiite people without being able to see the process or contracts of selling or transferring, that threatened many people and farmers, even alawites” activist detailed.

The activist ended mentioning that what has been happening in Syria and possessing land by Shiite in different suspicious methods is similar to Jews’ plans and practices to occupy Palestine.