(MENAFN- Arab Times) Saudi Arabia's top Sunni cleric on Saturday branded a deadly attack on Shi'ite Muslims a bid to sow chaos, after villagers targeted in the bombing vented their anger at what they saw as the Sunni-dominated government's indifference to their safety. Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Al-Qediah town on Friday evening, hours after a suicide bomber killed 21 worshippers in a packed Shi'ite mosque, the first attack in the conservative kingdom to be claimed by Islamic State militants. Demonstrators mourning the victims said security forces had left their communities unprotected, arguing that the official Wahhabi school of Sunni Islam inspires Sunni militants and encourages intolerance of the kingdom's Shi'ite minority.
It was one of the deadliest assaults in recent years in the largest Gulf Arab country, where sectarian tensions have been aggravated by nearly two months of Saudi-led air strikes on Shi'ite Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen. The kingdom's top Sunni cleric, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al al- Sheikh told state Al Ekhbariya TV on Saturday: "This totally criminal plot aims to split our ranks and sow chaos in our country but, God be praised, it will not find a way. The nation and society are united and under a wise leadership." Sheikh Mohammed Obeidan, a top local Shi'ite cleric, urged followers not to give into their anger and maintain the peace. "We'll stand before anyone who thinks that our creed is a cause for fear or worry " mass prayer - in a calm, orderly way with self restraint - is the right way to respond to this corrupt force and hateful darkness," he told worshippers. But resentment in Al-Qediah were running high. Avideo posted online by local activists showed a policeman standing over the limbs of the bomber inside the stricken mosque and apparently saying "God rest his soul", only to get screamed at by residents whose white robes were smeared with blood. Reuters was unable immediately to verify its authenticity. "Our streets are patrolled by armoured vehicles - this makes people think their forces are against us," said a local activist reached by telephone. "After the attack yesterday they deployed eight - why send these damn things? we're peaceful people." "From grade one, the state curriculum tells us Shi'ites aren't real Muslims. I'm a Saudi citizen, why do you force me to study this?" he said. Most Saudis adhere to the rigid Wahhabi school of Sunni Islam that deems Shi'ism heretical, and some members of the majority fear Shi'ites' first loyalty is to regional rival Iran. The community denies this and demands an end to what Shi'ites see as neglect. Most Shi'ites live in Eastern Province, where Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, pumps the bulk of its petroleum.
Attack
Saudi Interior Ministry spokesman Mansour Turki told state television the kingdom was seeking to root out Islamic State's presence, especially after a gun attack on a Shi'ite mosque that killed five people in nearby Ahsa village in November. The ministry said last month that it had arrested 93 suspected members of the group. The State of Kuwait strongly denounced the deadly "terrorist bombing" that targeted a mosque in the town of Al-Qediah, Al-Qatif governorate, east Saudi Arabia, during the Friday prayers. "This heinous crime against innocent worshippers is meant to destabilize sisterly Saudi Arabia and sow the seeds of sectarian sedition; it runs counter to all holy and humanitarian values," a Foreign Ministry official said in a statements to KUNA. "The activities of the terrorist groups require doubled efforts on the regional and international scales," he said, reaffirming Kuwait's support to the Kingdom in its efforts to maintain security and stability, and combat all forms of terrorism. The official expressed condolences to the Saudi leaders, government and people and the families of the victims. GCC countries condemned on Friday the "terrorist" attack against innocent civilians performing Friday prayers in Saudi's eastern governorate of Al-Qatif, which resulted in killing and injuring dozens. In a statement, GCC Secretary-General Dr Abdulateef Al-Zayani extended his condolences to the Saudi people and victims' families, offering full support to the kingdom to take all necessary measures to protect people, stability and security of the country. Al-Zayani also described this incident as a cowardly act that contradicts with teachings and principles of Islam. The GCC chief expressed confidence on Saudi security apparatus in bringing all those involved to justice. Earlier, a suicide bomber blew himself up using an explosive belt he was hiding under his clothes at the mosque, which resulted in killing 21 people and 102 others injured in the eastern part of Saudi Arabia. The Saudi interior ministry said they are investigating the attack, and its spokesman said the country was determined to bring those responsible to justice. Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Al-Araby condemned on Friday the "terrorist" attack against innocent civilians performing Friday prayers in Saudi's eastern governorate of Al-Qatif, which resulted in killing and injuring dozens. In a statement, Al-Araby extended his condolences to the Saudi people and victims' families on this tragic attack.
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