Rafsanjani's Letter Could End Regional Violence

Tehran, Oct 28, IRNA -- The death sentence passed by Saudi Arabia on the prominent Shia clergyman, Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr sparked a massive international outcry. Following the death sentence, countries such as Iran, Iraq and Lebanon turned up diplomatic pressure on the Arab kingdom to reverse the ruling. However in view of the dire situation in the Middle East such efforts failed and it is highly unlikely to bear fruit in the future. Shia communities in various Muslim and non-Muslim countries held rallies to vent their anger over the sentence and to demand that Saudi Arabia suspend it. Human rights groups and a number of European officials also slammed Riyadh for the verdict. Among all condemnations, a letter by Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the chairman of Iran's State Expediency Council, seems to have drawn attention in the oil-rich monarchy. In his letter to King Abdullah, the veteran politician highlighted the need to maintain Islamic unity and Muslims' expectation from the Saudi monarch to stop the execution of the senior Shia cleric. Saudi Arabia attaches much importance to the religious leadership in its diplomacy and since Ayatollah Rafsanjani is regarded as a senior Shia figure, his letter could have an impact on King Abdullah in suspending Nimr's death sentence. The letter is more of a friendly advice than an official message. Saudi officials are currently at loggerheads with Iran on regional developments and its nuclear energy program and it remains to be seen if the letter could work or will be ignored due deep disagreements. Fortunately, the letter has been written in a way that the Saudi king is hailed as a mediator. If King Abdullah halts the execution of the outspoken cleric because of the letter, soured ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia will begin to improve in the near future. The Muslim world is grappling with many issues and the situation in the Middle East is extremely explosive. If Rafsanjani's letter becomes a prelude to a thaw in Tehran-Riyadh relations, it is expected that tensions in the region will be eased. Many Muslims have been killed in the violence in the region and a miraculous measure can end or reduce bloodshed. The responsibility now lies with those who can prevent further violence./end