Saudi Wahhabi Authorities Arrested the Prominent Shia Cleric Sheikh Tawfiq al-Amir

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - On 3 August 2011 the Saudi security authorities arrested the Shiite cleric Sheikh Tawfiq al-Amir from the town of al-Hofouf in al-Ahsa district of the Eastern Province without charge.

Reliable sources said that a security squad blocked Sheikh al-Amer's way and arrested him as he returned to his home after performing the evening prayer in the mosque of A'imat Al-Baqi' in the town of al-Hofouf.

Al-'Amer's family found his car on the side of the road , and has not been able to obtain any news about him because the authorities refused to give any information about the whereabouts of al-'Amer's arrest.

The mentioned sources said that Sheikh al-Amir received before two days a formal summons to appear before the bureau of investigation and public prosecution of al-Ahsa, but al-Amir could not go there due to his health conditions.

 It is worth to mention that Shaikh Tawfiq al-'Amer was arrested on 27 February 2011 by the Saudi General Intelligence under the charge of calling for a constitutional monarchy , equal rights for the oppressed Shi'a minority and put an end to sectarian discrimination in the country during a Friday sermon in the mosque of A'imat Al-Baqi'.

In June 2008 Shaikh Tawfiq al-'Amer was arrested, according of an order from the governor of al-Ahsa ( Badr Ibn Jalawi ) .

 Shaikh al-'Amer criticized in his Friday prayers sermon the statement issued by the Wahabbi religious establishment and signed by 22 Saudi Wahhabi clerics which attacked Shiites and consider them as Sunnis’ enemies."

 In September 2008 , Shaikh al-'Amer was arrested for the second time according a direct order from the Interior Minister (Nayef bin Abdulaziz) .

In April 2005 Shaikh al-'Amer was arrested over his supporting religious and societal activities in his town .

Sheikh Amer is one of the prominent advocates of civil rights and freedoms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  Also, he is well knows for his bold views of reforms at high levels of demanding a constitutional monarchy in Saudi Arabia besides establishing religious freedom and discontinuing the sectarian discrimination along with respecting human rights.

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