Islamic Movement in Nigeria condemn Saudi’s execution of Sheikh Nimr

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Sheikh Nimr Baqr al-Nimr
Islamic Movement in Nigeria has condemned Saudi Arabia’s execution of prominent Shi’ite cleric, Sheikh Nimr Baqr al-Nimr, who was kept in Saudi prison since July 2012.
According to a statement by Saudi Arabia, he was put to death after being convicted by what the interior ministry called terrorism offences.
According to a statement issued by Islamic Movement in Nigeria: “It is known by all and sundry watching the international scene that Sheikh Nimr was a vocal supporter of the mass anti-government protests that erupted in Eastern Province in 2011, where a Shia majority have long complained of marginalisation. This was a figure active on the sensitive Sunni-Shia sectarian fault line that creates tension in the Kingdom and far beyond.
IMN noted that the international rights group, Reprieve, called the executions “appalling” , saying at least four of those killed, including Sheikh Nimr, were put to death for offences related to political protest. “Protests broke out in early 2011 in the oil-rich Eastern Province in the wake of the Arab Spring. Sheikh Nimr’s arrest in the following year, during which he was shot, triggered days of protests in which three people were killed. Sheikh Nimr is known to have advocated only peaceful demonstrations and eschewed all violent opposition to the government.”
“We condemn in strong terms the execution of the Sheikh, because killing of Ulama of his status who advocate for change in their societies will not augur well for peace and development, the state executioners normally deceive the public that that was what they crave for.”
“We are however not surprised by what the Saudi regime did, because it is known for its poor human rights record. It is known that Saudi Arabia carried out more than 150 executions last year, the highest figure recorded by human rights groups for 20 …Read More

Source:: PM Newspaper