JEDDAH, 31 August 2005 — Twenty defeated candidates from April’s municipal elections have filed a suit against one of the victors, Dr. Abdul Rahman Yamani, alleging he slandered them when he called them “seculars.”

Meanwhile, Yamani denies making the remark and said he welcomes a chance to defend himself against the allegations — if police ever decide to serve him with the warrant.

At issue is a statement Yamani made to Agence France Presse (AFP) at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah saying that: “Saudis are religious people ... and seculars have no acceptance in our society.”

Dr. Yamani was one of the 12 “Golden List” candidates who were allegedly backed by a group of well-known religious scholars that asked the public to vote for them.

After the filing of the suit on Aug. 10, Judge Abdullah Al-Othaim ordered the director of South Jeddah Police to serve Yamani the warrant for an Aug. 30 court hearing.

The court hearing did not take place, however, when Yamani failed to appear. The plaintiffs waited for two hours at the court.

Ehab Al-Solaimani, a spokesman for the plaintiffs, told Arab News that they checked with police and learned Yamani was never served with the warrant. “We discovered that the reason behind that is carelessness,” Al-Solaimani said.

The district chief where Yamani lives retired, and no one has been appointed to replace him. A district chief normally guides the police to a defendant’s house when they serve a court warrant on him.

“It is nonsense, they could’ve asked anyone in the neighborhood. To guide them to Dr. Yamani’s house,” said Al-Solaimani.

When asked why the suit was not filed sooner, Al-Solaimani explained that they were busy pursuing another lawsuit filed in March that questioned the legality of the elections. They contended that the “Golden List” candidates won the elections only because of the religious scholars’ approval of them. Still, they consider the term “seculars” derogatory.

“We are all Muslims in Saudi Arabia,” Al-Solaimani said. “We refuse to divide the country into parties.”

He noted that the defeated candidates don’t consider themselves part of any liberal group in the Kingdom. “In Saudi Arabia we never heard of these things as we all follow Islamic teachings and obey our rulers,” he added.

Dr. Yamani told Arab News that he denies calling anyone secular and welcomes an opportunity to defend himself in court.

He declined making any further statements other than saying that all matters will be clarified in the coming days.

Al-Solaimani said more candidates are joining them every day, adding they have nothing personal against Yamani.

“We thought he would apologize later, but since he hasn’t we’re forced to take matters into our own hands and seek justice through proper channels.”

A second court hearing is set for next Sunday. If police serve Yamani the warrant, the hearing likely will proceed.