While the United Arab Emirates defended the killings as in keeping with Sharia law, Saudi Arabia’s mass execution of 47, including top Shi’ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, has fueled a new round of international condemnation and riled Shi’ites the world over.
Shi’ite political figures in Iraq, Iran, and Lebanon all lined up to condemn the killing of Nimr as a deliberate provocation, followed by Shi’ite militias as well as top religious leaders. Hezbollah said it holds Saudi ally the United States responsible for the executions.
In Iran the response was more straightforward, as Shi’ite demonstrators marched on the Saudi Embassy in Tehran. The situation got out of hand before long, however, and the embassy was set on fire, leading the Saudis to condemn Iran as “terrorists.”
Another Saudi embassy at risk is the one in Baghdad, which only opened for the first time in decades last week, and which several high-profile Iraqis are demanding be immediately closed in protest. Iraqi politicians warned the execution would benefit ISIS by exacerbating tensions between Sunnis and Shi’ites.
Nimr was detained in 2012 for his role in organizing a protest demanding an end to discrimination against the Shi’ite minority in Saudi Arabia. Nimr’s detention was already wildly controversial, and he was reportedly tortured while in custody.
Nimr’s trial centered around charges of “disobeying the ruler” and “inciting sectarian strife,” and the evidence against him was primarily the text of sermons he gave, leading to condemnation from human rights groups. In October of 2014, he was sentenced to death.
In addition to the international fallout, Nimr’s death has fueled new protests among Saudi Shi’ites. Though a small minority in their country, they live predominantly in the coastal, oil-producing regions and their unrest subsequently could be more impactful.
Western nations have by and large not responded to the killing, in keeping with their desire not to upset the Saudis. The European Union’s chief diplomat Federica Mogherini did, however, declare the killing to raise “Serious concerns regarding freedom of expression.”
What freakin cowards and hypocrites our State Dept and President has become. That is why the world other than the fat lazy Americans show utter contempt for the corrupt regime DC has become. Oh if this was some other regime that DC did not like the scum state dept would be all over the media calling for the ouster of that regime.
Israel and Saudi Arabia some allies we have.
We need them like we need the bubonic plague.
"Not to upset the Saudis." The same logic can also applied to Israel,
the two most rouge countries in the Middle East.
Wait, “inciting sectarian strife” is a crime…in saudi arabia?!?
This is what happens when a state has an established religion. The other "crimes" leveled against Nimr al-Nimr fall under the rubric of lèse-majesté, which is what happens when a state has an absolute monarchy. The archaic nature of the Saudi state is being well and truly highlighted in these incidents.
If you're part of the wrong sect, it is.
Yeah, I would have thought it's national policy.
The Saudis killed an innocent man and the west, China and Russia are silent and obedient to the corrupt Saudi entity because of oil money.
This is the true face of Sunna.
They will try to divert attention by using ISIS or blaming Israel or attacking Iran but the truth cannot be diverted.
This is anything BUT the Sunnah.
I know I am kind of rambling on down below but I am fascinated by the Arabs.
One thing that really strikes me about Saudi leaders and television personalities is that their Arabian headgear always looks fake and stiff and un lived-in as if they don't wear it very often or that they do but that they are never at home with it and probably not supposed to be. Like public society is not their home to such a degree that is far beyond any alienation we experience. I am only talking about the Saudi leaders and such I see on tv/youtube. A few years ago I was at Revere Beach in Boston during a 100 degree heat wave with high winds that created a horrible sandstorm. An Arab gentleman who must have been in town for a conference was walking the beach in the full Arab garb and you could see how it was made for a hot sandstorm. Next to where I hang out were these Moroccan guys. Kind hearted and beer drinking. These guys are even cooler than the Brazilian guys but they never have women with then. They start arguing with the wealthy Arab dude in the sand outfit in Arabic and they really seemed pissed he was dressed like that. This was before Arab Spring.
I have a theory that this strict Wahhabi stuff is one of the possible natural results of Bedouin society meeting modernity and people being force to live and walk amongst strangers. Like in the old days if you met these guys everyone pretends that they are religiously strict and the women are kept on lockdown mode so no man has his feelings hurt. Then as they got to know you they could ease up and let you in.
I wonder if it is possible that Saudi Arabian civil society could undergo a stunning collapse like the Soviet Union did at the end. But in some some strange and different way.
"Western nations have by and large not responded to the killing" — oh please – the USA and Israel are into this very deep, stirring the pot, instigating the violence. Such incidents are the essence of our joint Mid East policy of getting the Muslims to attack each other instead of us. Lately, Saudi Arabia has stepped up to become the "wild card" in the area, taking attention off of Israel. Have to wonder who has a picture of the Saudi King with a camel?
America is wataing to sanction Iran Russia China Syria and Argentina for the next judicial exception.It has been sending the vibes through the NGO how dissidence and opposition shall operate and provoke the states before their days in the court to be used to apply for more sanctions and refer to regime change.
Saudi Arab is not only the exception America upholds on its its big shoulders,it goads and plots with Saudi how to create social ,political tension sectarian strides and readies for showdown with I dependent countries .
I’m not the kind of person who sides with the saudis but I believe a preacher must stay away from the business of the state and don’t incite a revolt.