- Shiite Cleric Hasan Saffar
Leading Saudi Shiâite clerics called on Thursday for protesters to end two months of demonstrations in the kingdomâs oil-producing Eastern Province, in an apparent bowing to government demands.
In at least two eastern towns, however, young Shiâites ignored the call and took to the streets again to demand the release of prisoners and political reforms, activists said.
Inspired by Arab uprisings in Egypt or Tunisia, Saudi Shiâites have been staging small protests in the Eastern Province, defying a demonstration ban and government pressure.
The Sunni Muslim monarchy of Saudi Arabia, the worldâs top oil exporter and major U.S. ally, does not tolerate any form of public dissent and the kingdom has not seen the mass uprisings seen in other countries in the region.
After meeting government officials, leading Shiâite clerics issued a statement asking activists to end demonstrations.
“We urge our beloved brothers … to calm the streets for the sake of brotherly cooperation that will help achieve our demands,” said the statement signed by 51 Shiâite clerics and other personalities.
“We stress our demands to officials to address the issues and deliver on legitimate rights raised by a group of young people.”
A Shiâite activist said the statement would probably not halt protests as young people were demanding reforms promised for years.
“It might reduce the number of protestors but I donât think it will end it,” said the activist, who declined to be identified for fear of reprisals.
Saudi Shiâites have long complained of difficulties getting government jobs and benefits enjoyed by the countryâs majority Sunni population, a charge denied by Riyadh.
On Thursday, dozens of Shiâites staged protests in the main Shiâite city of Qatif and neighbouring village of Awwamiya, an activist said.
Saudi authorities have been increasingly nervous about protests, arresting participants and making independent travelling for journalists more difficult in the Eastern Province.
More than 160 Saudi activists have been arrested since February, Human Rights Watch said in a report this week.
On Sunday, Saudi authorities arrested a Shiâite Muslim intellectual al-Saeed al-Majid, two days after protests in the Eastern Province.
