The American report on religious freedom: Saudi Arabia is added to the black list
Saudi Arabia-USA, Religion, 9/16/2004

For the first time, the US put Saudi Arabia yesterday on the list of the countries which violate or restrict flagrantly the religious freedoms of its citizens, especially the Shiite, considering, in the annual report which is issued by the US Department Of State on religious freedoms in the world, that "the freedom of religion does not exist" in the Kingdom.

The list of countries which Washington still accuses of flagrant violations of religious freedoms or conducting oppressive measures to control religious beliefs and practices includes "Burma, China, Northern Korea, Sudan and Iran." The US secretary of state Colin Powell said that his government decided in the course of its investigations to add three new countries to the list. They are Saudi Arabia, Eritrea and Vietnam.

Powell stressed that his government will continue its contacts with countries with which it is linked by bilateral relations in order to encourage religious tolerance. Ambassador John Hanvord, the official in charge of monitoring religious freedoms conditions at the Department Of State, said that the Shiite in Saudi Arabia and non-Wahabbi Sunni are " discriminated against and are exposed to tough restrictions over practicing their religious beliefs." He also indicated that Saudi Arabia bans open religious activities of non- Muslims in the Kingdom.

But Hanvord also indicated that Saudi Arabia collaborates with the US in this regard. He expressed his satisfaction over the discussions he had made with the Saudi officials and welcomed statements by senior Saudi officials including the crown prince Abdullah which encourages religious "tolerance and modernity." However, Hanvord indicated the continued hostility phenomenon of other religions in Saudi Arabia and what he described on "exporting religious extremism" and other practices which pushed his government to place Saudi Arabia on the list of countries which impose large restrictions in religious freedoms. He added that the Shiite in Saudi Arabia constitutes 10% of the population and "suffer more than others," noting that their leaders are detained and exposed to great discrimination in the areas of education, employment and the media. He continued that non Muslims in Saudi Arabia are exposed to strong measures and are discriminated against, noting that it is not the right of a non- Muslim to be a Saudi citizen.

He said that the steps taken by Saudi Arabia are not enough to remove it from the list of countries which restrict religious freedoms of its citizens. He indicated that Saudi Arabia is one of two countries ( the second is North Korea) which is accused by the report as free from religious freedom.

In Sudan, the government continues " its attempt to impose the Islamic Sharia on non Muslims in certain parts of the country and non Muslims are discriminated and restrictions are imposed on their religious beliefs.

The report accused Egypt of practicing religious discrimination against the Baha'e sect and the Copts in the area of employment in the public sector and depriving the Christians from the right to join al-Azhar university and missionaries are harassed by the police. The report indicated that the government does not recognize Muslims embracement of Christianity or other religions.

The report accuses Israel of discriminating against non- Jews in the fields of education, housing and employment. It says that the Arab schools in Israel do not take same resources like that of the Jewish schools. The report also indicates that Israel confiscates lands owned by non Jewish religious establishments.

Previous Stories:
  Riyadh: an advertisement campaign in 19 American states on being a US ally   (8/18/2004)
  US permits diplomats to return back to Saudi Arabia   (8/14/2004)
  Riyadh denies any suspect in the relaions with Bush family   (8/5/2004)
  King calls on pilgrims to avoid anything that could tarnish pilgrimage   (1/7/2004)
  With Saudi officials, Ben Ali inaugurates one thousand seat al-Abidin mosque in Carthage   (11/13/2003)
  Saudi official lauds Azhar’s role in serving Islam   (5/31/2003)
  Calls to heed religious peculiarities in human rights   (10/21/2002)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search