Saudi Forces Detain Pakistani Shia Cleric While Performing Umrah: Report
A Twitter post published on Friday announced that the secretary general of Pakistan’s Shia Ulema (Scholars) Council and a senior official of Islami Tehreek Pakistan (ITP) political party had been detained in the kingdom.
The post did not provide any reasons for Syed Nazir Abbas Taqvi’s arrest; however, he could be seen in a picture holding a flag at the courtyard of the Masjid al-Haram – Islam’s holiest site, bearing the name of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (AS), the first Shia Imam, in Arabic.
Many social media users took to Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms as soon as the news of Taqvi’s detention broke, demanding his immediate and unconditional release.
They also called on Pakistani authorities, including the Foreign Office, to ensure the release of the renowned Shia Muslim scholar.
Saudi Arabia has stepped up politically-motivated arrests, prosecution, and conviction of peaceful dissident writers and human rights campaigners, in particular in Shia-populated and energy-rich Eastern Province.
Source: PressTV
