Islamic Movement in Nigeria has condemned Saudi Arabia’s
execution of prominent Shi’ite cleric, Sheikh Nimr Baqr al-Nimr, who was kept
in Saudi prison since July 2012.
According to a statement by Saudi Arabia, he was put to
death after being convicted by what the interior ministry called terrorism
offences.
According to a statement issued by Islamic Movement in
Nigeria: “It is known by all and sundry watching the international scene that
Sheikh Nimr was a vocal supporter of the mass anti-government protests that
erupted in Eastern Province in 2011, where a Shia majority have long complained
of marginalisation. This was a figure active on the sensitive Sunni-Shia
sectarian fault line that creates tension in the Kingdom and far beyond.
IMN noted that the international rights group, Reprieve,
called the executions “appalling” , saying at least four of those killed, including
Sheikh Nimr, were put to death for offences related to political protest.
“Protests broke out in early 2011 in the oil-rich Eastern Province in the wake
of the Arab Spring. Sheikh Nimr’s arrest in the following year, during which he
was shot, triggered days of protests in which three people were killed. Sheikh
Nimr is known to have advocated only peaceful demonstrations and eschewed all
violent opposition to the government.”
“We condemn in strong terms the execution of the Sheikh,
because killing of Ulama of his status who advocate for change in their
societies will not augur well for peace and development, the state executioners
normally deceive the public that that was what they crave for.”
“We are however not surprised by what the Saudi regime did,
because it is known for its poor human rights record. It is known that Saudi
Arabia carried out more than 150 executions last year, the highest figure
recorded by human rights groups for 20 years.”
“Saudi Arabia and other undemocratic, despotic regimes
across the globe should know that the truth can not be silenced by state
sponsored terrorism, which is what killing people who call for peaceful change
is, like Sheikh Nimr and others around the world.
ISN added that “Our condolences to the Muslims all over the
world and the Shia community in Saudi Arabia upon the martyrdom of Sheikh Nimr
Baqir al-Nimr, and all the other Shohada of the Ahl al-Bayt in Saudi Arabia,
Yemen, India, Iraq, Pakistan, Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Nigeria
and Afghanistan.
“We conclude by an excerpt of the letter that Sheikh Nimr
left to his mother before his martyrdom: For My Patient Mother Umme Ja’far:
Praise be to God, who orders people while they are living under the shadow of
his rule, [so] nobody can change anything unless the will of God be at that
way. My mom! Be aware that God is seer of what people are doing even the
smallest one and [our works] are not out of his will; it is enough for us to
know that what happens to us are only on the basis of divine providence and
nothing else. At the end, I leave you and all people to God who is the best
guardian and protector.”
PM News
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