From CDHR
September 24, 2008
Discrimination Against the Ismailis of Najran
By Ali Alyami
Saudi Arabia has become synonymous with terrorism, extremism and religious intolerance, especially against non-Muslims. What is unknown to religious freedom activists, government officials, NGOs, and even many Saudis, is the exclusion and condemnation of a sizable Saudi citizen minority, the Ismaelis. Tucked in the agriculturally and archeologically rich foothills of the Saudi-Yemeni boarder, in Najran, the Ismaelis are considered “infidels” and consequently punished by any means their majority Sunni compatriots deem appropriate for non-“true Muslims.” It is estimated that there are about one million Ismaelis in Saudi Arabia, the majority of which live in Najran.
According to a newly-released and thoroughly-researched report by the highly respected Human Rights Watch group, the Ismaelis are treated in ways that should be reserved for criminals. Najran was annexed by the Saudi-Wahhabi establishment in 1934. Despite their ethnic and religious minority status, the Saudi-Wahhabi men of Najran were and still are the dominant power due to their control of the national wealth, support from the government and their compulsive appetite to use brutal force to make sure loyalty is secured.
CDHR promotes Saudi national unity, security, equality and access to jobs at all levels for all citizens, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religious orientation, lifestyle or origin. To ensure these necessary values, decentralization of power, religious freedom, distribution of the national treasure and the empowerment of women must be implemented in Saudi Arabia. Discriminating against minority Muslims because of religious rituals and orientations will only push a sizable and strong segment of Saudi society to seek support from their counterparts in Iran, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Egypt, Iraq and other parts of the Muslim world. Additionally, religious intolerance at home and incitement against non-Muslims will bring harm to Saudi Arabia including external intervention no Saudi would like to entertain.