Islamic Information Center - Grand Shia Saudi Scholar Visits US, Meets with IIC

(WASHINGTON DC -- MAY 24, 2010) The renowned and top ranking Shia Scholar of Saudi Arabia, His Eminence Sheikh Hassan Al Saffar, is touring the United States currently. The Sheikh delivered a very enlightened and thought provoking lecture at the Imam Ali Islamic Center in Virginia on Saturday May 22, 2010. A big number of people from different walks of life attended this exclusive event, and the Islamic Information Center was represented by Mr. Mohammad Hussain, member board of Directors of the IIC. Later the Sheikh scheduled a meeting with IIC Chairman Imam Syed Naqvi (also affectionately known as Maulana Naqvi) to discuss the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia.

Sheikh Al Saffar had a very cautious but optimistic view about the progressing trend of human development around the world, that has broken the shackles of feudalism, slavery, and colonialism, except, he said, in the situation of the occupation of Palestinian territories by Israel.

The Sheikh said in translated remarks: "At this period of time in human history the struggle is going on to put an to end authoritarian hegemonic powers, regardless of whether they are from civil or religious establishments, and this is particularly so in the Muslim world. The super powers who were supporting authoritarian regimes have now realized that these negative policies back fired and inflicted trouble their own countries. Now they started talking about introducing forced pseudo democracies on third world countries."

Talking about the domestic conditions in Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Al Saffar maintained an optimistic but cautious tone. He said "Noq the Salafi establishment has started recognizing the existence of the Shias, but still there is a long way to go to get to the point when we can achieve an equitable and more harmonious society in all parts of the land. "

Answering a question about the extent of freedom for the Saudi Shias to practice there religious activities, Sheikh Al Saffar said that in the the Al Qateef and Al Ahsaa regions Shias have the full right to build mosques and Husainias, manage their own Auqaf and judiciary. But they are still not allowed to do so in other parts of Saudi Arabia where Shias live, even where they are the clear majority. This, he said, must change since every Saudi citizen should have equal rights throughout the country.

Overall the Saudi scholar was of the view that there is a great movement towards more reforms in various sections of society in the country at large and the political leadership in now supporting the change toward more progressive society. There now free talk about human rights and more progressive society.