Middle East faced a wave of protests because of the execution of Shiite preacher – RBC

Muslim woman holds a placard ‘To hell with you “during a demonstration against the execution of a preacher Nimrah Nimrah al. January 2, 2016, Bahrain

Photo: REUTERS 2016

The radical leader of the Shia Muslims of Iraq Muqtada al-Sadr called on Shiite countries Middle East go to protest against the execution in Saudi Arabia, one of the spiritual leaders of the Shiite minority – Sheikh Nimrah al-Nimrah.

«I call on Shias in Saudi Arabia prove his courage in peaceful demonstrations, and besides, I urge Shiites in the Gulf countries, to prevent the recurrence of the injustice and the expansion of state terrorism in the future, “- said al-Sadr (quoted by Reuters).

The preacher also called on Iraqi authorities to abandon the idea of ​​resumption of the country’s embassy in Saudi Arabia, closed since 1990.

Earlier, on January 2 the Saudi Interior Ministry announced the execution of 47 people convicted of involvement in terrorism. Among those executed was also one of the most prominent representatives of the Shiite minority of the country, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, in 2012, was arrested on charges of inciting riots in the oil-rich city of Qatif.

The execution of a preacher has caused outrage in the Shiite world. Demonstrations took place in the homeland of al-Nimrah, in a populated Shiite city of Qatif. In managed Sunni dynasty of Bahrain, the majority of the population is Shiite, the police had to use tear gas against demonstrators.

With the Saudi authorities condemning the actions of the representatives of “Hezbollah”, the Lebanese Higher Islamic Shiite Council, Yemeni rebels Huthis .

Video: RBC

The authoritative Iranian theologian Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, predicted the collapse of Saudi Arabia. He said that the execution of al-Nimrah lead to the death of the ruling dynasty in the Kingdom of Saud. “I have no doubt that the pure blood fall on the head of Saud and wash them from the pages of history. The criminal penalty Sheikh Nimrah – part of the criminal policy of this sinister families, the Islamic world must come forward and condemn the shameful regime, “- said Khatami (quoted by Reuters).

Former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said that Nimrah al-penalty will lead to the overthrow of Saud as well as the execution of another Shiite martyr Muhammad al-Sadr, in the end led to the death of Saddam Hussein.

In turn, the command of the coalition led by Saudi Arabia, opposed povstantsam- Huthis, announced the cancellation of the ceasefire, announced in mid-December 2015 truce and resumption of hostilities in Yemen.