[mukto-mona] FW: There Should Be Rights For All : All Minorities Should Get rights--Editorial , Asia Post, dated 16.4.o9

 

There Should Be Rights For All : All Minorities Should Get Rights

BBC Arabic Service has reported that underlying tensions between Sunni and Shia in the Middle East have escalated to full-scale crises in the past few years in countries such as Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain, and, most recently, in Saudi Arabia. Although they only represent 15% of the overall Saudi population of more than 25 million, Shia are the dominant population, according to the International Crisis Group, in key towns such as Qatif, Dammam, and al-Hasa, which are home to the largest oil fields and processing and refining facilities. In February, clashes between Shia Muslims and the religious police in Madina, Islam's second holiest city, triggered a wave of unrest, resulting in the arrest of dozens of people. Tensions were eased by King Abdullah's decision to release all the detainees .. In 1913 King Abdul Aziz Ibn Saud, founder of the kingdom, promised Shia safety and freedom of worship when their representatives swore allegiance to his government. But Tawfik al-Saif, a Saudi political activist, told the BBC that he does not think the promises were honoured. "There are lots of problems each of which has the potential to trigger unrest. However, the Saudi elite, both the Shia and Sunni, is determined to stop public disorder whether motivated by internal or external agents." Mr Saif believes that only if the government introduces wide-reaching political and social reforms can long-term stability be achieved. Shias want equal opportunities in government and the military as well as freedom of worship. They want to be able to build their own mosques, have their civil courts granted more power and to print their own religious books. Arabia have not been able to avoid the effects of instability in the region. .     . Shia liberals, including left-wing intellectuals, are a relatively small minority within their community and are far less organised than the Islamists. Nevertheless, religious activists have combined with their liberal coreligionists, as well as Sufis, to call for more respect for human rights in Saudi Arabia. In its report, entitled The Shia Question in Saudi Arabia, the International Crisis Group said that King Abdullah, widely believed to have been at the forefront of efforts to engage Shia and promote their integration, may now be in a position to effect greater change. But the leaders of a newly established opposition movement, Khalas (Deliverance), say that during the past 15 years there have been plenty opportunities for the government to reform its policy towards the Shia but they have been found wanting. Dr Fouad Ibrahim, a Saudi activist based in London, says the recent murmurings in the Eastern Province could be described as a manifestation of disappointment among Shias who have waited for promised reforms for so long. "Activity by the opposition both at home and abroad are clear indications of the need for change and for an end to deeply rooted grievances which the Shias have suffered," Dr Ibrahim told BBC. Dr Ibrahim says the Saudi government has failed to integrate the Shia with other minorities, including the Ismaili community in the South and Sufis in the Hijaz. But Mr Saif believes that while the Shia want an end to discrimination they are committed to negotiating a settlement to their grievances.   We believe in human rights and religious rights every where.Violation of rights is not monopoly of one nation, it is there lmost everywhere.Shia-Sunni division is there everywhere .It is an old division. We can not  change their belief, this is historically there. The differences are relatively minor.We hope the present Abdullah regime is more conscious of modern realitied.It is in the best interest of Islam and Muslims to bring  more democratic change and give all rights and opportunity of participation in all affairs

 

 

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