Quranic Martyr of Qatif
Saudi security forces killed the president of a Quran council as they torched his vehicle in Eastern Province, which is mainly populated by Shia Muslims.
The incident occurred on the eve of Eid last Saturday night, when Saudi security forces fired gun shots into Amin al-Hani's car while he was driving in Awamiyah in the restive Qatif region.
The shots set the vehicle ablaze and his charred body was then recovered from the burned-out car. A video of the incident, shot by a passing car, circulated in social media, showing the time Hani's car was burning in the raging fire.
Hence, Saudi Arabia’s forces who had started the holy month of Ramadan by killing Fadhil al-Hamada and Muhammad al-Suimal, ended the month of the Quran by assassinating al-Hani, a prominent Quran activist.
He was martyred while returning from a Quranic program in the region.
Activists have condemned the brutal killing of the Quranic figure as an indication of Saudi authorities’ lack of respect for the lives of innocent people and civilians.
Awamiyah has witnessed an increase in anti-regime protests and an ensuing crackdown in recent weeks.
Eastern Province, particularly Qatif, has been the scene of peaceful demonstrations since February 2011. Protesters, complaining of marginalization in the Sunni-ruled kingdom, have been demanding reforms, freedom of expression, the release of political prisoners, and an end to economic and religious discrimination against the oil-rich region.
Riyadh has responded to the protests with a heavy-handed crackdown, but the rallies have intensified since January 2016, when the Saudi regime executed respected Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, an outspoken critic of the policies of Riyadh. The provocative move further escalated tension across the province. Over the past years, Riyadh has also redefined its anti-terrorism laws so as to target activism.
The Shia community of the province accounts for somewhere between 10 and 15 percent of Saudi Arabia’s 33-million-strong population.
Who Was Al-Hani?
Amin al-Hani was a resident of Safawi village in Qatif. He was a social and educational activist and headed the Joint Quranic Council of Qatif and Dammam.
Shia scholars in different Saudi provinces have described his martyrdom as a great loss of the Arab country, stressing that he was a flag bearer of Quranic education for over two decades.
Sayyid Tahir al-Shamimi, one of these scholars, has slammed the killing of the Quranic figure, saying his martyrdom was a tragic loss for Saudi Arabian society.
He underlined that al-Hani was a diligent Quranic personality whose main objective was serving the people.
Sheikh Abbas al-Saeed described al-Hani as a martyr of the Quran who spent his life in serving the Holy Book and Quran learners.
Sheikh Muhammad al-Khamis noted that al-Hani followed the teachings of the Quran and was a good role model for Quran leaners.
Sheikh Abdullah al-Yusuf highlighted the outstanding characteristics of al-Hani, especially his humbleness and good conduct and his efforts to promote the Quran.
The Arab country’s Quran activists have also praised al-Hani for his influential role in developing Quranic activities and mourned his loss.
Abdullah al-Hashi, who is in charge of Qatif Dar-ol-Quran Center, says al-Hani spent his entire life in Quranic activities and spared no efforts to spread the Quranic culture.
Saleh al-Haddad, the director of Bihar al-Quran Center in Sanabis, said Saudi Arabia lost an outstanding Quranic character who was a pioneer in Quranic activities.
Al-Hani’s funeral was held in Safawi village with the participation of a large number of people.
