Sectarian strife threatens Muslim world: Saudi dissident

A senior Saudi dissident has warned that the conflict between Shia and Sunni sects of Islam poses a great threat to the Muslim world.

Mohammed al-Ahmar, based in Qatar’s capital Doha, has described Shia-Sunni division as a conspiracy which should be dealt with seriously.

Al-Ahmar, who earlier lived in the United States, is also the founder of Forum for Arab and International Relations in Doha.

In July, Ali al-Ahmed, director of the Institute for [Persian] Gulf Affairs, said on Press TV that the oppressive regime of Al Saud believes that if it kills one Shia, then ten Sunnis will consequently be scared to join the popular uprising in the kingdom.

“The Saudi government is trying to escalate the clashes or the killings in Qatif in Eastern Province because they believe in their minds that if we kill one Shia, we scare 10 Sunnis,” Ali al-Ahmed said at the time.

“This is making history that thousands of people are protesting in Saudi Arabia,” Ahmed stated.

The Saudi monarchy heavily cracks down on critics and exercises zero tolerance for protest gatherings.

On October 11, the Saudi Interior Ministry issued a statement threatening to deal “firmly” with those participating in any demonstrations in support of political prisoners, who the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association says number about 30,000.

Since February 2011, protesters have held demonstrations on an almost regular basis in Saudi Arabia, mainly in Qatif and the town of Awamiyah in Eastern Province, calling for the release of all political prisoners, freedom of expression and assembly, and an end to widespread discrimination.