http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/jan/02/middle-east-condemns-saudi-execution-of-shia-cleric-live 'In October 2011, during the 2011–2012 Saudi Arabian protests, al-Nimr said that young people protesting in response to the arrests of two al-Awamiyah septuagenarians were provoked by police firing at them with live ammunition. On 4 October,[4] he called for calm, stating, "The [Saudi] authorities depend on bullets ... and killing and imprisonment. We must depend on the roar of the word, on the words of justice".[9] He explained further, "We do not accept [the use of firearms]. This is not our practice. We will lose it. It is not in our favour. This is our approach [use of words]. We welcome those who follow such [an] attitude. Nonetheless, we cannot enforce our methodology on those who want to pursue different approaches [and] do not commit to ours. The weapon of the word is stronger than the power of lead."[4]' https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheikh_Nimr#cite_note-Rasid_Nimr_nonviolence-4
Saudi Arabia’s top cleric defends the execution of 47 people
In contrast to the outcry of many Middle Eastern religious leaders, Saudi Arabia’s top cleric has defended the execution of 47 people, calling it a “mercy to the prisoners” because it would save them from committing more evil acts and prevent chaos.
Grand mufti Sheikh Abdul-Aziz Alal-Sheikh said in a statement that the executions announced Saturday were in line with Islamic law and the need to safeguard the kingdom’s security.
Islamic scholars around the world hold vastly different views on the application of the death penalty in Shariah law, with Saudi judges adhering to one of the strictest interpretations.
In a further development, the Saudi-led coalition that has been bombing the Houthi insurgency in Yemen for nine months announced on Saturday the end to a ceasefire that began on 15 December but was repeatedly violated by both sides, the Saudi state news agency SPA said on its twitter account.
“The leadership of the coalition supporting legitimacy in Yemen announces the end of the truce in Yemen beginning at 14:00 (11:00 GMT) on Saturday,” the agency said.
Most of the 47 executed alongside the prominent Shia cleric were convicted of al-Qaida attacks in Saudi Arabia a decade ago, but four, including Nimr al-Nimr, were Shia Muslims accused of shooting policemen during anti-government protests in recent years.
The executions took place in 12 cities in Saudi Arabia with four prisons using firing squads and the others beheading. The bodies were then hanged from gibbets in the most severe form of punishment available in the kingdom’s Sharia Islamic law.
The Saudi interior ministry’s list of the executed, published in a statement carried by the official SPA news agency, does not include the cleric’s nephew, Ali al-Nimr, whose arrest at the age of 17 and alleged torture during detention sparked condemnation from human rights groups and the United States.
Ali Mohammed al-Nimr, who has been sentenced to crucifixion in Saudi Arabia, was not executed alongside his uncle as some feared. Photograph: Facebook
Human Rights Watch say Shia cleric had an unfair trial
US based Human Rights Watch have criticised the executions. Sarah Leah Whitson, the group’s Middle East director said: “Regardless of the crimes allegedly committed, executing prisoners in mass only further stains Saudi Arabia’s troubling human rights record.”
She said al-Nimr was convicted in an “unfair” trial and that his execution “is only adding to the existing sectarian discord and unrest.”
“Saudi Arabia’s path to stability in the Eastern Province lies in ending systematic discrimination against Shia citizens, not in executions,” she added.
Here are some images from the violent protests that have erupted inBahrain last night and today.
A Bahraini protester holds a picture of Nimr al-Nimr, as others clash with security forces in Manama, Bahrain Photograph: Ahmed Alfardan/EPA
Bahraini protesters clash with security forces after Saudi Arabia executed prominent Saudi Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr Photograph: Ahmed Alfardan/EPA
Bahraini anti-government protesters hold up posters and national flags toward riot police firing tear gas during clashes in Sitra, Bahrain. Photograph: Hasan Jamali/AP
Protesters walk on a street as they burn garbage bins during clashes at a demonstration in the village of Sitra south of Manama Photograph: Hamad I Mohammed/Reuters
Welcome to our live coverage of the reaction to Saudi Arabia’s execution of a leading Shia cleric.
Several religious leaders across the Middle East have already warned of repercussions for the state-sanctioned killing of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. Saudi Arabia’s royal family has been warned to expect internal unrest and protests have begun elsewhere in the region.
In a serious escalation of religious and diplomatic tensions, opposing councils and clerics in Iran, Yemen and Lebanon said the killing of the prominent cleric would prompt widespread anger.
Nimr’s execution - one of 47 carried out at the same time on New Year’s Day – sparked demonstrations in Bahrain where police have fired teargas, according to witnesses. The deaths come as figures show the number of executions in Saudi Arabia has risen to the highest level in 20 years.
Reuters
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