MONDAY, MAY 12, 2003
Shi'ites demand role in Sunni-ruled Saudi Arabia
REUTERS
JEDDAH: Leaders of Saudi Arabia's Shi'ite Muslim minority have petitioned Crown Prince Abdullah to demand a greater say in the affairs of the conservative Sunni-ruled kingdom, a Shi'ite activist said on Sunday.
Shi'ites have long complained of discrimination in Saudi Arabia, which is now nervous about the resurgence of the Shi'ite majority in neighbouring Iraq after a US-led invasion toppled Sunni president Saddam Hussein. Officials deny charges of discrimination.
Shi'ite activist Jaffar al-Shayeb told Reuters by telephone that the petition was presented late last month to Abdullah, the kingdom's de facto ruler.
"The petition was signed by 450 members of the Shi'ite community, who raised their voices in unison to demand reform." said Shayeb, who led the delegation to meet Abdullah.
"We have no alliance with anyone outside the country and indeed want to resolve this issue so that it doesn't leave any space for outsiders to exploit."
Saddam's fall has raised the possibility of Shi'ites gaining ascendancy in Iraq. Saudi Shi'ites traditionally have strong links across the border.
A leading Saudi Shi'ite cleric said last month that Shi'ites hope the defeat of Saddam would help their cause in the kingdom, the birthplace of Islam and the world's top oil exporter.
Shi'ites are thought to form a majority in the Eastern Province, where most of the oil lies.
"We went over the problems we are facing and Prince Abdullah suggested a government-sponsored religious forum to be set up so the Sunnis and Shi'ites in Saudi Arabia can better understand one another," said Shayeb.
Shi'ites allege that the strict Saudi religious establishment has insulted their faith in school textbooks, prevented Shi'ite communities from building mosques and denied them senior government jobs and access to the state media.
Saudi officials have repeatedly denied charges of discrimination against religious minorities. Most Saudis belong to the austere Wahhabi branch of Sunni Islam. The Sunni-Shi'ite split dates back to the early days of Islam.
The petition called for peaceful and gradual reform and asked the government to start employing Shi'ites in military, security, and diplomatic fields.
A few months ago, a group of Saudi intellectuals wrote to Abdullah, calling for elections, freedom of speech and other reforms.
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