TEHRAN, Iran: Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi has said the United States that claims to be an upholder of human rights in the world is oblivious toward the mistreatment of Shias in Saudi Arabia.

Addressing a large crowd of worshippers at the holy shrine of Hazret Fatimeh Masumeh (a.s.) in the holy city of Qom, the Ayatollah said the U.S. government or its Congress react when a person from a perverted denomination is arrested in Iran, but they remain indifferent to the Saudi Arabians’ mistreatment of Shias.

The ayatollah also criticized Saudi Arabian officials for their indecent manner towards the Shias.

The Saudi Arabian government should learn from Iran to behave properly toward Shias as Sunnis are treated with courtesy in the Islamic Republic, Makarem Shirazi said.

There was a place in Medina where the Shias used to say prayers, but it was unfortunately closed by the Saudi government, he lamented.

“These (Shias) are from your country and have been living there for hundreds of years and they have a right. Why do you treat them like this?”