Saudi leader demands Shiia ministers in govt

By: Abdulali/ Shila Abulhassan/ Ali Muradi

AL-QATEEF, Saudi Arabia: Saudi scholar Sheikh Hassan As-Saffar has demanded from the Saudi regime appointment of Shia ministers in the government, and denied that Saudi Shias have a political connection with Iran.

In an interview with Al-Arabiyah, As-Saffar said the problem still existing is that although citizens in the kingdom are all Muslims equal in rights and duties according to the basic system for the rule and what the officials announce in the country, but there are some discriminatory practices practiced by some authorities and persons against the Shiias.

Answering a question “did you demand practically the Saudi Crown Prince appointment of a Shiia minister?” he said: “Yes... it is obligatory that the ministers’ appointment takes place according to their efficiencies and I do not believe that the Shiia citizens are less than others in efficiencies and abilities. Therefore, we aspire that Shiia citizens participate – according to their number - in service of their homeland on all levels.”

He said a document named “partners in the homeland” that the Shiias have presented to the Crown Prince pointed out this issue.

“I do not see an accepted justification for prevention of Shiia books in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he said. “Reason of prevention is, fearing the effect of the other opinions or the power of their logic.”

As-Saffar said historically Shiias in Saudi Arabia had no relation with Iran even on religious level since the Marja’iyah, or the religious authority, to whom Saudi Shiias return was present in Iraq. But because of repression in Iraq many of the scholars and Marja’iyaat moved to Iran and consequently a connection made regarding fatwaa and religious culture. But there is no political connection between Shiias in Saudi Arabia and Shiias in Iran. The Shiias in Saudi Arabia are part of their homeland and their loyalty is for their homeland.

END