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Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem-Shirazi has released a statement in condemnation of the execution of Ayatollah Shaykh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr at the hands of the Saudi regime.
In the Name of God, the Beneficent, the Merciful
“From God we come and to Him we shall return!” [Holy Quran 2:156]
The horrible news of the execution of Ayatollah Shaykh al-Nimr and a number of other innocent individuals has left the Muslim world in consternation, particularly because such an unspeakable act of barbarity has been committed under the name of Kharijites and Takfiris. If there was anyone, up to this point, who had any doubt about the Saudis being the creators of various seditions, including the sedition of Takfirism in the Muslim world, this horrendous crime of theirs leaves no one with any doubt in this regard.
We strongly condemn this horrific crime and we have no doubt that these innocent bloods will be avenged. We also believe that this atrocity has been committed as an act of vengeance and to make up for the abject failure of the Saudis in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. However, the Saudis must prepare themselves for a much greater failure in these three regions.
Indeed this atrocity has not been committed without the consent of the United States, as the Saudis seek the consent of the Americans regarding far less important issues. Obviously, such crimes are committed in line with their plans to spark sectarian conflicts between Shi’a and Sunni Muslims. However, both the Saudis and Americans are awfully in error for we have no conflicts with our Sunni brothers. We are at war with the Takfiri terrorists, and this is a war about which all Muslims agree.
Further, the Saudis must know that this is not a crime that is easily forgotten and that they will soon suffer the dire and far-reaching consequences of this ill-advised action. This crime is not only severely condemned by Shi’as, but it will certainly be strongly condemned by Sunnis as well as all free-spirited men around the world.
What was the crime of the innocent souls that were executed? Had they taken part in an armed rebellion, or had they killed someone?! They were only guilty of asking for the rights of the Shi’a minority in the Saudi Arabia to be respected. They asked the Saudi government to grant the Shi’as the freedom to hold their religious ceremonies without being killed or imprisoned. Is this really a crime?! And is it the kind of guilt for which one can be given such a horrible penalty?
“Indeed your Lord is in ambush” [The Holy Quran 89:14]
Naser Makarem-Shirazi January 2, 2016
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