Saudi authorities prevent  celebration of the of Imam Mahdi's birthday in al-Hasa

September 2 , 2007

On Tuesday , Saudi security forces sabotaged annual celebration of Imam Mahdi's birthday , which is contrary to practices of "Wahhabi" doctrine , hold by Shi'a populations in al-Hasa in the Eastern Province . The members of the security forces separated celebrators and removed all aspects of decoration in many villages , according to Rasid Network .

The police presence was large and began to harass celebrating youth in al-Rumaila village by using batons. The authorities called the  supervisors of those celebrations and warned them to do them again . 

The Saudi authorities continued to restrict Shi'a religious practices in the Eastern Province and Shi'a minority is still the subject of officially sanctioned religious discrimination .

The Committee for the Defense of Human Rights in the  Arabian Peninsula calls the international human rights organizations to pressure Saudi Arabia for freedom of religion and assembly.