Shia Pilgrims Subject to Unexpected Search in Saudi Arabia Shia members of the Imam Shirazi World Foundation(ISWF) were followed by special agents in Medina and their rooms and bags were searched in detail.
Saudi authorities entered the hotel room of all members of the Shia organization and requested their travel documents and passports and also searched all their bags.
When asked for reason for the search they answered ” we are looking for a lost bag”!!
Saudi authorities have always pressured Shia but the unfair treatment is increasing every Hajj year.
Hajj is one of the most important Muslim ceremonies done once a year in the Saudi Arabia where the Prophet Muhammad’s shrine and Kaaba, the house of God, are located.
Shia pilgrims have always complained that they are subject to unfair treatment because of their faith; They cannot perform daily prayer using prayer stone, they are forced to pray in a Wahhabi tradition style: they cannot visit their Imams’ graves in Baqi.
Baqi a holy cemetery where four of Shia Imams’ graves are placed along with many other prophet’s family members. There used to be a shrine but the Saudi government destroyed it, so Shia can no longert visit the graves.
Shia who go to Hajj or those who live in this country, face human rights violations due to their faith. The Saudi government has promised to open dialogue between religions and faiths in this country but no action was taken. For more information regarding Shia rights violations in Saudi Arabia read the S.R.W 2012 Saudi Arabia reports.
for reviewing the report: Click here
