Saudi Columnist calls for punishment of Shiites; Mufti ponders "crucifixion"!

A pro-government Saudi columnist called for a massacre against the residents of Al-Awamiyeh, a Shiite town, if they do not prevent opposition demonstrators from protesting. Ali Aljahli, a columnist in Aleqtesadiya newspaper, started his article by praising a Shiite cleric for criticizing protests, saying that this should be the norm. The Saudi writer also said that these demonstrators are controlled by Iran. "No state accepts that its citizens pledge allegiance to another country (Iran). These rogues cannot be left to be a thorn in the government's side". The Saudi columnist ends his article with the following threat:
"If the people of al-Awamiya left these mobs to do what they like, then they will all be perished. If they took things in their own hands, then they are participating in protecting the society, and restoring the bond between citizens and the security forces".
Saudi activists in the oil rich Eastern province, where a majority of Shiites reside, have claimed that this article comes within a concerted effort by the government. Saudi media is heavily censored and mostly owned by the Saudi Royal family and its friends.

For many years, there have been demands among the Saudi Shiite community, which constitutes around 15% of the total population, for more rights, as they are discriminated against, especially in public sector jobs (nearly non-existent).

Most recently, they have started demanding a ban on state-sponsored anti-Shiite articles, Friday prayer speeches and propaganda. Shiites are frequently called apostates, infidels and "rejectionists" in various media outlets. 


Saudi Mufti


Recently, Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz ibn Abdullah Al-Sheikh called the Shiite demonstrators, "a malicious misguided sect who has suspicious motives". He called for their punishment, citing a verse from the Quran, "The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter".

PS. The Saudi columnist's email is alja7li@yahoo.com, in case someone would like a shame on you letter.

Posted in: Saudi Arabia