Saudi authorities are arresting Shi'ite and Sunni
dissidents in a crackdown meant to prevent unrest during the current Haj
pilgrimage.
At the same time, authorities have warned that they will not tolerate
any political demonstrations by Haj pilgrims to Mecca. Officials said this
will include rallies in support of the Saudi royal family.
"We are against any gatherings and shouting of slogans that are contrary
to God's instructions," Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef Bin Abdul Aziz
said on Sunday. "We will not allow even slogans that are shouted in support
of the kingdom."
Nayef said Saudi authorities arrested 30 people on suspicion of being
linked to the Al Qaida group headed by Saudi fugitive Osama Bin Laden. The
minister said several of them were later released but others were found to
have been connected to Bin Laden.
More than 2 million pilgrims, about half of them from abroad, are
streaming into Mecca for the
Haj pilgrimage, scheduled to culminate at the end of the month. Western
diplomats and intelligence officials are closely monitoring the kingdom
during the Haj pilgrimage. They said they have not seen any
significant anti-government or anti-U.S. demonstrations.
Opposition sources said authorites arrested several dissidents who had
relayed alleged Saudi violations against the Ismaili minority. The arrests
were carried out in the area of Najran.
Last month, the Wall Street Journal reported on the plight of the
Shi'ite Ismaili minority and published an interview with tribal leader Ahmed
Turki Al Saab. Al Saab asserted that Saudi regional authorities discriminate
against the tribe, torture activists, attack their mosques and forcibly
relocate members.
A week after the interview was published, Al Saab, a leader of the Yam
tribe, was arrested. Several other Ismailis, including the translator used
by reporter James Dorsey for the Journal, were also detained.
A report by the Washington-based Saudi Institute said the Yam tribe
numbers about 1 million members in the Najran region. The report said the
Saudis don't allow freedom of worship for Muslims who are not part of the
ruling Najdi sect, which make up a minority of the country. Najdi tribesmen
come from the central portion of the kingdom.
The report said Wahabi clergy have also been arrested for their belief.
In all, the institute said, more than 220 clergy and others have been
detained for their religious belief. The report said 17 religious dissidents
face execution or life sentences.
