03-06-2009, 06:15 PM
Bismillah
Although it might not be really connected, but here is the article about riots in Medina:
Police arrest 5 after demo in Medina
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=86353...ionid=351020205
Sat, 21 Feb 2009 16:09:18 GMT
The Baqi Cemetery in Medina
Thousands of people have gathered in front of the Saudi Religious Police's building in Medina after alleged Saudi agents filmed Shia pilgrims.
Witnesses said that the gathering started on Friday afternoon when a crowd of pilgrims were visiting the Baqi Cemetery which is home to tombs of several Shia Imams as well as the Prophet's beloved daughter (PBUH).
The tension erupted after a few people who were believed to work for the Religious Police started taking photos and filming a crowd of Shia pilgrims, BBC reported.
The Saudi media reported that five people were arrested near the Prophet's Mosque over "raising their voices in front of the Baqi cemetery." However, witnesses said that several people were arrested after a row broke out between the protestors and religious police.
The crowd chanted slogans and called on police to hand over the pictures and films to them and immediately release the detainees.
Police spokesman Colonel Mohsin bin Saleh al-Radadi was quoted by Saudi newspapers as saying that a group of pilgrims gathered at the gate of the Baqi Cemetery on Friday evening --when the pilgrimage time ended-and asked for entering the cemetery despite authorities refusal.
According to the police official they insisted on entering the cemetery and a number of them "created unrest and raised their voices in front of the Baqi's gate".
Al-Radadi added that five people were arrested after security guards were called in and that they were handed over to authorities for further interrogation.
The police spokesman said that the other pilgrims were dispersed without any problem.
Witnesses, however, said the gathering lasted about three hours and ended at around 9 pm local time and only after riot police threatened to intervene .
Saudi Arabia has imposed restrictions on the visit of historical and religious sites by pilgrims as Wahabi authorities label the practice as idolatry. The conservative kingdom also widely suppresses the country's Shia minority who lives in Saudi Arabia's eastern regions.
Gatherings and demonstrations are very rare in Saudi Arabia with Wahabi clerics deeming such moves to be "spreading corruption".
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It might not have been properly handled as well. But astaghferullah.