Iranian Cleric Calls on Saudi Arabia to Ensure Security for Shiite Muslims
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A senior Iranian cleric said the Saudi Arabian government should be held accountable for the recent violent attacks against Shiite Muslims in the eastern district of al-Ahsa as Riyadh should ensure security for Shiites in the Arab country.
Speaking on Sunday, Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi condemned lask week's terrorist attack that killed and wounded several Shiite Muslim worshippers performing mourning rituals in commemoration of Imam Hossein (PBUH).
“In Saudi Arabia, the security of Shiites should be preserved so that a Shiite Muslim feel safe there, otherwise Shiites around the world will adopt a (proper) stance against the move (attack on Shiite community),” he said.
“This crime signifies the level of violence against Shiites in Saudi Arabia and the country is held accountable for that,” the top cleric noted.
He also hailed the stance adopted by Saudi Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh on the terrorist move, and said Riyadh should arrest the perpetrators of the attack and punish them.
Saudi Arabian state media on Tuesday reported that gunmen shot dead at least five people in the Eastern Province in what local residents said was an attack on Shiite Muslim worshippers.
An interior ministry spokesman said six people had been arrested in connection with the attack in al-Dalwah village.