Bani Saud dig own grave by executing Sheikh Nimr

Zafar Bangash

Rabi' al-Awwal 21, 1437 2016-01-02

Daily News Analysis

by Zafar Bangash

By executing the respected scholar and human rights activist, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, the Saudi regime has added to its long list of crimes. This one, however, may prove its undoing. Sheikh Nimr's execution reflects the regime's failures both internally and externally and will only hasten its downfall. The world would be a far better place without this bunch of savages from the backwaters of Najd.

Toronto, Crescent-online
Saturday January 02, 2016, 11:09 EST

The Saudi regime has committed the ultimate crime: it has executed the respected alim and human rights activists, Sheikh Nimr al Nimr. By committing this heinous crime, the Bani Saud have confirmed their barbaric nature. They have also dug their own grave by this act of savagery that has now become their signature mark. The Saudi Interior Ministry issued a terse statement today (January 2) saying that Sheikh Nimr among 47 others that were executed. The announcement said the others were convicted of being involved in “terrorism” and adopting a “Takfiri” ideology and included an Egyptian and Chadian national. The other Saudis that were executed were convicted of al-Qaeda-linked terror in 2003. The executions were carried out in 12 locations across the medieval kingdom.

Aware that this crime, especially the execution of Sheikh Nimr that the Islamic resistance group Hizbullah in Lebanon called an “assassination”, would evoke strong reaction among the Shia population in the Eastern Province, tanks and armored personnel carriers were deployed to suppress any unrest. There were spontaneous protests in Qatif, al-Awamiya and other regions in the east of the kingdom. Police also attacks protesters in neighboring Bahrain where there has been a simmering uprising underway for more than four years.

The leadership in Iran, including senior ulama as well as the Foreign Ministry condemned the execution calling it barbaric and warned that the Saudi regime will pay a heavy price for their latest crime. Ayatullah Ahmad Khatami who serves as Interim Friday Prayer leader and is a member of the Assembly of Experts, said today the execution is in line with a litany of crimes committed by the Bani Saud regime from the onset of its creation.

“I have no doubt that this pure blood will stain the collar of the House of Saud and wipe them from the pages of history,” Ayatullah Khatami added, calling on the Muslim world to take a stand against the killing of Sheikh Nimr.

The religious scholar also highlighted other examples of the Najdi Bedouins’ criminal acts, including their military aggression against Yemen that has caused thousands of civilian deaths and destroyed virtually the entire infrastructure of the poorest country in the Muslim East (aka Middle East). Ayatullah Khatami described the Bani Saud’s crime in Yemen an “eternal stain of shame”.

The Shia Council of Lebanon called the execution a “grave mistake.” There was condemnation from other places as well.

The UK-based international rights group Reprieve called the executions "appalling", saying at least four of those killed, including Sheikh Nimr, were executed for offences related to political protest.

The Saudi regime is notorious for banning any calls for reforms, political rights or respect for human dignity. In a decree imposed in January 2014 (the regime rules by issuing decrees, no consultation is deemed necessary as commanded by Allah in the noble Qur’an [Sura Al-Shura:38]), any calls for reforms or withdrawing allegiance to the ruler were declared criminal offences. Even the worst forms of dictatorships would not be able to impose such draconian measures even if they practice them under the label of promoting people’s rights.

As if the regime’s barbaric actions were not bad enough, the court cleric, the blind Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al al-Sheikh, defended the executions, calling them a "mercy to the prisoners". He made the incredible statement saying it would prevent them committing more crimes, Associated Press reported. Sheikh Nimr’s execution reflects a number of grave problems the Najdi Bedouins face both internally and externally.

First, Sheikh Nimr was a symbol of steadfastness and resistance; he transcended sectarian barriers that the Bani Saud have erected in order to prolong their tortuous existence.

Second, there is an intense power struggle underway in the kingdom between two upstart members of the ruling family: Muhammad bin Nayef and Muhammad bin Salman. Ibn Nayef is Crown Prince and Interior Minister; Ibn Salman is deputy Crown Prince and Defence Minister.

They are competing to project a tough guy image in order to secure support of the inner circle to become king when Salman dies who is known to suffer from dementia and is virtually incapacitated.

The Saudis have unleashed the takfiri terrorists in Syria and Iraq but recent developments have put them to flight. The Saudis’ takfiri project in both locales is facing serious difficulties. The takfiris are also beginning to come home to roost. In fact, they do not have to come home; they are already present in the kingdom in large numbers and clearly pose a threat to this despicable family’s rule.

The Saudis’ war on Yemen is also not going well. They have failed to achieve any of their objectives. Instead, the war is likely to lead to the destabilization of the Bani Saud rule. Thus their failures in Syria, Iraq and Yemen have caused them to panic and begin this massive execution spree that would almost certainly short-circuit their tortuous existence. History is replete with such examples. The most assured judgment is rendered by Allah azza wa jala in the noble Qur’an:

“Yet indeed, as for any who defend themselves after having being wronged—no blame attaches to them; blame attaches but to those who oppress [other] people and behave outrageously on earth” (Surah Al-Shura: 41-42).

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