Saudi Shiites Resolved to Form Popular Defense Force in Qatif

Sheikh Abdel Jalil al-Zakki, a prominent Saudi Shiite cleric, condemned the recent terrorist attack on a Mosque in al-Qatif province, and called for setting up a popular defense force to protect the Shiites.

On Friday, a suicide bomber detonated explosives during prayers at Imam Ali (PBUH) mosque in al-Qadeeh, Qatif province, killing 21 people and injuring more than 100 others.

Addressing a gathering of Qatif people and in reaction to the Shiite mosque bombing, Sheikh al-Zakki called for Shiite alliance, and said that the popular committees should be formed to protect the Shiites.

In similar remarks, a Shiite religious authority had also earlier called for forming popular committees like what the Iraqis have to help the Saudi Shiites.

On Saturday, thousands of people in Qatif staged a massive rally to support the establishment of popular defense force after the ISIL suicide attack on the Imam Ali (PBUH) mosque.