Shia Muslim Foundation calls for immediate ceasefire and urgent return to diplomacy after United States strikes on Iran

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Washington, DC - February 28, 2026) The Shia Muslim Foundation calls for an immediate ceasefire following the United States and Israeli strikes on Iran and the retaliatory attacks that followed. The current trajectory risks rapid regional escalation, civilian casualties, and long term destabilization.

World leaders have resoundingly called for a return to peace.

"I condemn today’s military escalation in the Middle East. The use of force by the United States and Israel against Iran, and the subsequent retaliation by Iran across the region, undermine international peace and security," said UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. "I call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and de-escalation. Failing to do so risks a wider regional conflict with grave consequences for civilians and regional stability. I strongly encourage all parties to return immediately to the negotiating table," he said. "I reiterate that there is no viable alternative to the peaceful settlement of international disputes, in full accordance with international law, including the UN Charter."

"We reiterate our commitment to regional stability and to the protection of civilian life," French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a joint statement, adding that they wanted a resumption of negotiations.

Norway’s Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide rejected the legal framing of a preventive strike and warned against a wider war. (Reuters) Oman publicly lamented the collapse of talks it had been facilitating, underscoring the cost of abandoning diplomacy. (Reuters) Russia condemned the strikes as armed aggression and called for an immediate end to the military campaign. (AP News)

“The region does not need another open ended conflict,” said Rahat Husain, Executive Director of the Shia Muslim Foundation. “The Shia Muslim Foundation calls for an immediate ceasefire, rapid diplomatic engagement through the United Nations, and sustained negotiations to prevent more loss of life."

The Shia Muslim Foundation urges:

1. An immediate ceasefire and halt to all further strikes and reprisals

2. An urgent United Nations Security Council session focused on de escalation, civilian protection, and a diplomatic off ramp

3. Public commitments from all parties to comply with international law and protect civilians, including critical infrastructure

4. Renewed diplomacy with credible intermediaries, including states that have already worked to host negotiations

The Shia Muslim Foundation also calls on United States policymakers to prioritize restraint and diplomacy. Military escalation will predictably trigger retaliation, broaden the battlefield, and place civilians across the region at heightened risk.

About the Shia Muslim Foundation

The Shia Muslim Foundation is a Washington, DC based 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to support the civic rights of American Shia Muslims and advocate on issues affecting Shia communities worldwide.

Media Contact

Farhana Kassamali

farhana@shiamuslimfoundation.com

Shia Muslim Foundation Condemns Islamabad Mosque Attack, Pledges Solidarity with Pakistan

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On February 6, 2026, a suicide bombing targeted Shia Muslim worshippers during Friday prayers at the Khadija Tul Kubra Mosque in Tarlai Kalan, a residential area of Islamabad, Pakistan. According to initial reports, the attacker detonated explosives near the entrance area as congregants were gathered for prayer. The blast resulted in significant casualties, with dozens reported killed and many more injured, some critically. Emergency services responded promptly, transporting victims to nearby hospitals and securing the surrounding area while authorities initiated an investigation into the attack. The Shia Muslim Foundation (SMF) stands in solidarity with the people of Pakistan following the deadly attack. SMF condemns this horrific act of violence and mourns the innocent lives lost.

The Khadija Tul Kubra Mosque is located in the Tarlai Kalan area of Islamabad and serves the local Shia Muslim population as a place of regular congregational worship. The facility functions as both a mosque and an imambargah, hosting daily prayers, Friday services, and religious commemorations observed throughout the Islamic calendar. Like many neighborhood mosques in Islamabad, it operates as a community-based religious center supported by local worshippers.

The mosque is named after Khadija bint Khuwaylid, the wife of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Prior to the recent attack, it was not widely known outside its immediate community and was not associated with national political or security events. Its primary role has been religious and communal, providing routine prayer services and space for religious gatherings for residents of the surrounding area.

"A house of worship is a sanctuary. To target worshippers during prayer is an assault on faith, peace, and our shared human conscience," said the Shia Muslim Foundation. "We stand shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters in Pakistan, united in grief and resolve."

SMF affirms its support for the Government of Pakistan and its citizens, recognizing the nation's longstanding resilience against extremism. The Foundation emphasizes that while terrorism seeks to divide societies, the response must be a renewed commitment to unity and the protection of religious freedoms.

This tragedy resonates deeply within the global Shia community and among all who value human dignity. SMF reaffirms its commitment to advocating for the safety and civic rights of Shia Muslims worldwide and promoting peaceful coexistence.

SMF Praises ‘Time Hoppers’ A Sci-Fi Feature Centering Muslim Intellect

Time Hoppers will come to US theaters in early February 2026

(January 15, 2026 - Washington DC) The Shia Muslim Foundation proudly welcomes the US theatrical release of Time Hoppers: The Silk Road, a landmark animated feature that brings Muslim history, science, and imagination to the big screen. This film offers an accessible time-travel story for families and young audiences, filling a gap in mainstream media where Muslim contributions to science often go unnoticed.

The film follows a group of students who find the ability to travel through time. They are thrust into pivotal moments along the historic Silk Road. As they move through past civilizations, they encounter towering figures of Muslim intellectual history, confront forces seeking to erase knowledge, and learn the value of curiosity, ethics, and responsibility.

The movie mixes science fiction with education to present Muslim contributions to global civilization in a clear, engaging format. This approach normalizes Muslim characters as innovators and scientists, rather than limiting them to stereotypical roles.

Shia Representation in Creative Arts

The Shia Muslim Foundation highlights the involvement of Shahryar Rizvi, a prominent member of the Shia Muslim community. Rizvi served as a writer on both the television series and movie series, as well as a related video game. His participation reflects the depth of talent within the Shia community and signals the growing role Shia Muslims play in shaping cultural and artistic narratives beyond traditional spaces.

Rahat Husain, Executive Director of the Shia Muslim Foundation, emphasized the importance of this release:

"Stories define us. Time Hoppers does the important work of connecting young audiences with an intellectual heritage that is often ignored in Western media. Seeing members of our community, like Shahryar Rizvi, involved in this creative process proves that our voices belong in every industry. This film educates and validates the history of scientific inquiry in the Muslim world."

How to Watch

Time Hoppers: The Silk Road is coming to select US theaters for a special limited engagement via Fathom Events on February 7 and 8, 2026.

To find a theater near you and purchase tickets, visit: www.fathomentertainment.com/releases/time-hoppers-the-silk-road

For more information on the film and its educational resources, visit the official movie website: www.time-hoppers.com

Why This Matters

Time Hoppers places Muslim history and scholarship at the center of a story about knowledge and the future. For young Muslim audiences especially, the film offers something rare: heroes who look like them, think like them, and inherit a legacy of learning.

The Shia Muslim Foundation views this release as a positive cultural milestone. It demonstrates that Muslim stories can resonate with wide audiences while remaining grounded in authenticity. We congratulate the creators, cast, and contributors to Time Hoppers: The Silk Road. We look forward to seeing more projects that reflect the diversity, intellect, and creativity of the Muslim community.

About the Shia Muslim Foundation

The Shia Muslim Foundation is a Washington DC-based nonprofit dedicated to advancing the civic, social, and cultural interests of American Shia Muslims while promoting understanding, dignity, and representation across society.