Saudi protesters in Qatif denounce Shia mosque bombing

Rasa - Large crowds of Saudi demonstrators in the Qatif region of Eastern Province have held a massive rally to protest against the recent massacre of their fellow Shia Muslims in a bombing attack at a mosque.

News ID: 2571

Date: 23 May 2015 - 22:23

RNA - On Saturday, tens of thousands of demonstrators took to the streets of the region to condemn the Friday bomb attack at a Shia mosque in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, which claimed the lives of more than 20 innocent worshipers and left many more injured.

The Shia mourners chanted slogans to show their anger against the Takfiri ISIL group – which claimed responsibility for the bombing – as well as the House of Saud dynasty. Protesters expressed their frustration at authorities over the deadly blast.

The angry demonstrators demanded that the Saudi authorities take decisive action against the forces involved in the killing of Shia Muslims. They also accused the Saudi monarchy of failing to provide security for the Muslim community.

The blast happened when an assailant detonated his explosives during Friday prayers at Imam Ali (PBUH) Mosque in Qadih village, killing at least 21 people. More than 200 people were also injured in the incident.

On November 3, 2014, masked gunmen stormed a group of Shia Muslims participating in a ceremony marking the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (PBUH), the third Shia Imam, in the village of al-Dalwah in al-Ahsa Governorate of Eastern Province, and opened fire as people were observing the rituals of Ashura, the 10th day of the lunar month of Muharram.

The killing of Saudi Shias has caused an international outrage, with rights groups and regional countries expressing concern over the ongoing deadly violence.

Eastern Province has been the site of peaceful demonstrations, mostly in the districts of Qatif and Awamiyah, since February 2011. Protesters have been demanding reforms, freedom of expression and the release of political prisoners. They want an end to economic and religious discrimination against the oil-rich region.

Several demonstrators have been killed and dozens of activists have been arrested since the beginning of protests in the region.

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