Indian Shiˈa Scholar Demands Immediate Release Of Top Saudi Cleric

New Delhi, April 13, IRNA – Strongly condemning the death penalty for Shiˈa cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqir-al-Nimr, Kashmiri Shiˈa scholar Friday strongly criticized Saudi prosecutor. In a Friday prayer sermon, Patron, Pairwan-e-Villayat Moulana Sibte Mohammad Shabir Qumi demanded the immediate release of the Saudi Shiˈa cleric and his entire associates. He also expressed solidarity with the jailed cleric and termed the Saudi prosecutor’s execution demand as “unjustified and injustice” against humanity. Pertinently on March 28, a Saudi prosecutor reportedly demanded the death penalty for Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, accusing him of “aiding terrorists” and “instigating unrest” in the kingdom. Sheikh Nimr was attacked, injured and arrested by Saudi security forces en-route to his house in Qatif on July 8th, 2012. Saudi cleric Al- Nimr was leading a peaceful movement for the restoration of the rights of the community, for which thousands of Shiˈas in Saudi Arabia have been targeted with violence and hundreds thrown into jails. Meanwhile, Qumi also expressed his deep grief over the 37 deaths caused by an earthquake in southern Iran on Tuesday. In a statement issued in Srinagar, he expressed his sorrow over the deaths and prayed for the departed souls. Maulana Sibte expressed his solidarity with the bereaved families and prayed for the whole Iranian nation./end