Najaf Friday Prayer Leader Condemns Shia Suppression In S.Arabia

Najaf, July 14, IRNA – Friday Prayer Leader of Holy Najaf here Friday condemned the suppression of Shia Muslims in Saudi Arabia and the arresting of renowned Shia clergy Sheikh Nimr Abdullah Nimr. In his Friday prayer sermon at Al-Fatemiyeh Hosseiniyeh of the Holy Najaf, Sadreddin al-Qamabji called the moves war against Shi’a Muslims. “The prevailing atmosphere and ongoing events in Saudi Araia are an undeclared sectarian war launched against Shi’a Muslims, whose last POW is Sheikh Nimr Abdullah al-Nimr, a Shi’a clergy from al-Sharqiyya region, along with a number of peaceful demonstrators,” he said. Addressing hundreds of worshipers at the Friday Prayer ritual, he said, “It would be more appropriate for Riyadh government to mover towards a multiparty system and freedom of religion and culture, ending its suppression policy, which would bear no fruit for that regime.” He further reiterated, “We seriously condemn the sectarian suppression policy pursued throughout Saudi Arabia, particularly observed against the Shi’a Muslims who are the followers of the Holy Household of the Prophet (P), in al-Sharqiyyah region.” The Friday prayers leader of Holy Najaf meanwhile asked the Saudi Shi’as to observe patience under the tough conditions they are living, and to remain resorting meely to legal moves only. Shiekh Sadreddin al-Qabanji also asked the Saudi government to free the Shia celergy Sheikh Nimr, and the rest of the innocent arrested Shias, as soon as possible./end