Life dose not end when a man dies, real life begins when he dies. Either we live on this land as free men or die and be buried in it as piuos men. We have no other choice.
It was King Salman who back in May 2015 told the world that “The Saudi Arabian government guarantees freedom of expression and opposes discrimination.” Addressing Bandar Al-Aiban, president of the Human Rights Commission (HRC), Mufleh Al-Qahtani, president of the National Society for Human Rights, and other senior officials during their visit to Riyadh, the Saudi monarch continued confident: “The pillars of this state are built on Islamic law that calls for the protection of human rights; and governance in the country is based on justice, consultation and equality.” Under the reactionary and unforgiving rule of al-Saud royals, justice, civil liberties and equality before the law are but distant mirages … Still, Saudis are determined to dream and cry freedom; for in doing so, it is their faith in God’s commands they are tightly holding onto.
On January 2nd, 2016 Riyadh ambitioned to extinguish one of the kingdom’s brightest light - that is Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. A prominent Shia cleric, a man of letter and a fervent pro-democracy advocate, Sheikh al-Nimr was above all a man of peace and tolerance. A voice for the oppressed, a teacher for his community and a bridge for all religious minorities, Sheikh al-Nimr came to symbolize resistance against tyranny across not just Saudi Arabia, but the world. There is such figure in history which command attention for their voices, and their fight is service of humanity. Sheikh al-Nimr was such a man. Beyond his absolute devotion to Shia Islam, and the principles it enounces, it is his love for Justice and Freedom he will be remembered for.
Contrary to the vile propaganda spewed by Riyadh, Sheikh al-Nimr never once called up for violence, or armed retribution against the regime. What he preached, what he, himself demonstrated was peaceful resistance. In keeping with Islam’s Imams, in keeping with the teachings of the holy Prophet Muhammad, Sheikh al-Nimr devoted himself to the Truth - offering his counsel, and his reproach when officials strayed from the path. His words were not of violence, hate or division - his teachings were of unity, acceptance and solidarity. And if indeed he was a dissident, it is only because he could not accept the injustices which were carried against his fellow men. Sheikh al-Nimr had no other ambition but to see his people live with dignity in their lands - a life spent in resistance in the service of others stand testimony to the true quality of his character. Such is the man, the Saudi regime stroke down with the swing of a sword.
If the world cry today for the loss of a martyr, Sheikh al-Nimr’s message remains forever embedded in the hearts of those for whom Justice and Freedom are worth fighting for and standing for. There are fights in life which are worthy not because victory is easy, but because they are true. Silence before tyranny is complicity! With over 30,000 political prisoners languishing in prison, Saudi Arabia has become the epitome of oppression. while the world community has withdrawn behind its walls of silence, voices have risen throughout, demanding that justice be served, calling for Saudi Arabia to face to the abominations it has committed in the name of greed and political manipulation.
Note:
*Catherine Shakdam is a political analyst, writer and commentator for the Middle East with a special focus on radical movements. The Director of Programs at the Shafaqna Institute for Middle Eastern Studies, Catherine is also the co-founder of Veritas Consulting.
*http://english.khamenei.ir/news/3020/The-only-weapon-used-by-Sheikh-Nimr-was-his-words