ISNA Condemns Execution of Shia Cleric in Saudi Arabia

(January 3, 2016) – The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) issued a statement condemning the executions of Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr and three Shia Muslim activists by the Specialized Criminal Court (SCC) in Saudi Arabia.

Sheikh Nimr was a vocal critic of the Saudi government’s policies against the Shia religious minority and called for political reform.

“The actions taken by the Saudi government against its critics like Sheikh Nimr in the name of counter-terrorism undermine the unity of the worldwide Muslim community and violates the protection of religious minorities,” said ISNA President Azhar Azeez in a statement.

In 2013, ISNA along with other Muslim religious bodies signed a declaration reaffirming respect and unity between Shia and Sunni Muslims (see: The Washington Declaration on Sunni-Shia Unity).

The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) is the largest and oldest Islamic umbrella organization in North America.