 Iran Focus has obtained a partial list of names of Islamic mystics arrested during a protest in the holy city of Qom, south of Tehran, earlier this week. Islamic mystics, or Sufis, focus on the direct perception of Truth or God through mystic practices based on divine love. Sufism, common to both Sunni and Shiite sects of Islam, has its roots in Iran. Its followers oppose IranÂ’s ruling theocracy on spiritual grounds.
| Not being given to brutality, they would... |
Police arrested some one thousand Sufis as clashes broke out after the place of worship used by the mystics was demolished Tuesday on government orders. Hundreds were injured during the clashes after police fired teargas and used truncheons to attack the demonstrating Sufis. The partial list of those arrested was provided to Iran Focus from a reliable source in Qom.
| A long list of names follow. |
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