Execution triggers nationwide protests

QUETTA/KARACHI: The execution of leading cleric Nimr alNimr by Saudi Arabia on terrorism charges sparked peaceful street protests across Pakistan on Sunday. The protests were organised by the Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen, Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Fiqa Jafria, Jaferia Alliance Pakistan and Imamia Students Organisation.

In Quetta, about 1,000 members of the Shia community called on the government to reconsider its longtime ties with Riyadh and demonstrators held placards bearing slogans against the oil-rich kingdom.

In Lahore, around 1,500 took to the streets, calling Nimr’s execution a gross human rights violation, while in Karachi about a thousand men, women and children shouted slogans against the Saudi royal family.

Similar protests also took place in several districts of Sindh and Islamabad, where about 500 people gathered to call on the UN to intervene to stop Saudi Arabia from targeting the Shia community. Shia leaders called into question the silence of the international community and rights groups against the mass execution in Saudi Arabia.

In Rawalpindi, a large number of women staged a rally where they condemned the execution of Nimr, saying that the cleric was punished for raising voice against the oppression of religious minorities in the kingdom.

The Shia community in Indian-administered Kashmir was also outraged at the cleric’s execution. In the main town of Srinagar, hundreds of angry protesters bearing photos of Nimr chanted slogans against Saudi Arabia as they marched toward the city centre.

Some hurled rocks at police, who fired tear gas and wielded batons in return, a senior police officer speaking on condition of anonymity told AFP. Similar protests were also held in smaller towns across the region.

In the Gulf state of Bahrain police clashed with protesters, witnesses said. They said violence erupted in several Shia suburbs of the capital Manama, with police using tear gas and buckshot against protesters throwing petrol bombs. Some injuries were reported.

The unrest saw protesters carrying pictures of Nimr march through several suburbs of Manama, among them Jidhafs, Sitra, Duraz and Bilad alQadeem. Witnesses said the violence was worst at Sidra west of the city, with some 400 demonstrators clashing with police. The same sources said security forces used tear gas against protesters in Duraz who blocked a road and hurled stones at police.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 4^th, 2016.