In less than two weeks, a second confidential circular was issued by Saudi authorities stressing the ban on building mosques for Shia citizens and to close existing ones.
The October 20 confedential circular was signed by Prince Mohammad bin Fahad, Eastern Province Governor, stipulates continuation of the closure for the seven Shia mosques in Khobar, Dammam and Khafji as they are built in unauthorized places.
It should be noted here that authorities refuse to issue permits for building Shia mosques outside Shia dense areas like Qatif, Al-Hasa and Najran.
Authorities refuses also to provide any justification for permit issuance refusal.
The circular instructed police stations to report the names of those who oppose the circular instruction or do not comply with it.
In an earlier circular that was issued on October 6, set a ban on building of mosques, cemeteries and religious houses for Shia residing outside the Qatif, Al-Hassa and Najran where dense Shia citizens reside.
The memo, which Rasid received a copy of it, is signed by Deputy Prince of Eastern Province, Jalawi bin ABdulaziz, and refers to direct orders from Interior Minister, Naif bin Abdulaziz.
The later circular appeared to be an enforcement to the regulations, unlike the previous circular which contain clear sectarian instructions against Shia.
However, both circulars single out Shia originating from Najaran and reside in Eastern Province.
Shia citizens are majority in the rich Eastern Province and they suffer from religious, political and economical discrimination.
Saudi authorities have launched a campaign to close Shia mosques in Khobar, Dammam and Khafji. So far seven mosques have been closed under the usual claim of not being licensed.
Recently, a wave of arbitrary arrests against Shia citizens started. All detainees are not allowed to have legal representation and often are sentenced to imprisonment based on instructions from the governor.
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