Since Muhammad bin Abdul-Wahhab bin Suleman At-Tamimi Al-Hambali established his extremist movement in 1143 AH, 1722, it stood to attack all neighboring Islamic regions. Some of its heinous condemnable acts which are a black scar on the forehead of Islamic history rather the humanity are:

1- On 18 Dhol-Hijjah 1216, 22 April 1801, followers of the extremist movement led by their monarch Saud bin Abdel-Aziz attacked the holy city of Karbala. They plundered the holy shrine of grandson of holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his pure progeny), Al-Imam Al-Hussein bin Ali bin Abi Talib (peace be upon them), opened fire on it and martyred all those who were therein at that time.

2- Two years later in 1218/1803, they attacked the holy city of Najaf and the holy mausoleum of Al-Imam Ali (peace be upon him), son-in-law, first infallible successor and cousin of holy Prophet Muhammad bin Abdullah (peace be upon him and his pure progeny). But the people of Holy Najaf defended their city thus foiled the attack sending them back failed. The sacred shrine remained safe.

3- In 1221/1806, they again launched attack against the Holy Karbala – home to the holy shrines of Al-Imam Al-Hussein (peace be upon him) and his brother Abo’l Fadhl Al-Abbas (peace be upon him), but the Karbalayans (inhabitants of Karbala) thwarted the criminal attack.

4- In early 20s and particularly in 1923, they began implementation of their further heinous criminal plans that included demolition of holy shrines. They planned to begin with the sacred shrine of Seal of Prophets Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him and his pure progeny). They were about to raze the most sacred shrine but the severe pressure and anger of Muslims across the world stopped them from committing the unmatchable crime. After their failure, the movement turned towards demolition of holy shrines of holy Prophet (peace be upon him and his pure progeny)’s daughter, wives, grandsons, uncles and aunts in Janna’tol Baqee (cemetery of Al-Baqee) in the holy city of Medinah, Saudi Arabia.

The extremist movement continues demolition of Islamic heritage till today in the holy cities of Makkah and Medinah in the name of cities expansion plans.

(An excerpt from lecture of Dr Walid Al-Bayati about razing of Islamic signs in the holy cities of Makkah and Medinah delivered in Al-Abrar Foundation Center, London, United Kingdom)