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
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. .
. Shia liberals, including left-wing intellectuals, are a relatively small minority within their
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 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 | |
__._,_.___