Leading Saudi clerics issue world-wide call for force against Iraqi Shi'ites

Saudi Arabia is the center of the Sunni world, and home to Mecca. Approximately 85% of the world's Muslims are Sunni, with only Iraq and Iran having predominantly Shia populations.

RIYADH, Dec 11 (Reuters) - A group of prominent Saudi clerics have called on Sunni Muslims around the world to mobilise against Shi'ites in Iraq, although a statement they issued fell short of calling for a jihad, or holy war.

The statement appearing on Saudi Islamist Web sites on Monday said Sunni Muslims were being murdered and marginalised by Shi'ites, backed by Iran, and the U.S.-led forces.

Saudi Arabia, a bastion of Sunni Islam, backs the Shi'ite-dominated government of Nuri al-Maliki largely because it fears that sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shi'ites could lead to the break-up of its northern neighbour and spill over its borders.

"We direct this message to all concerned about Shi'ites in the world: the murder, torture and displacement of Sunnis ... is an outrage. We don't think you would accept to be treated like this," said the statement, dated Dec. 7.

"Muslims must stand directly with our Sunni brothers in Iraq and support them by all appropriate, well-studied means ... Muslims generally should be made aware of the danger of the Shi'ites," it said.

"Clerics and intellectuals should not stand hands folded over what's happening to their Sunni brothers in Iraq; all occasions should be used to expose the Shi'ites' practices ... What has been taken by force can only be got back by force."

Read the rest at Reuters/Altenet

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