In remarks published in Al-Madinah newspaper on Monday, they called for bringing those responsible to justice on charges of terrorism and spreading corruption on earth. They described such acts as shameful and said they would never be committed by any citizen who loved his country.
A member of the security forces was shot and injured on Saturday evening while patrolling in Qatif governorate, days after a protester was shot dead.
“A routine security patrol ... in Qatif governorate on Saturday evening came under fire from unknown assailants resulting in the injury of one security man who was taken to hospital,” said the media spokesman for the Eastern Province police, quoted by the Saudi Press Agency.
Residents of Qatif said they wholeheartedly backed the leadership of the country to take stern procedures to punish saboteurs who attempt to undermine the stability and security of the country.
Abdul Haleem Al-Kidar, mayor of Tarout Island in the Eastern Province, condemned the riots and said they were committed by a misguided group of people who infiltrated Awamiya.
“These devious and criminal people do not represent any religion or any religious faction but only represent ignorance and deviation,” he said.
The mayor asked Saudi scholars and citizens to spread awareness about the correct faith, while commending the prevailing state of stability and security in the Kingdom.
Al-Kidar said all the residents of the Eastern Province strongly back the leadership in any steps aimed at deterring unpatriotic elements who wanted to undermine the security of the country and its people.
Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Raqeeb, president of the region’s Court of Appeals, said the security and stability enjoyed by everyone in the Kingdom makes it imperative for all to maintain allegiance, love and loyalty to the country.
He considered the saboteurs to be terrorists and said Qatif was full of men who were faithful and loyal to the leadership. “These outlaws should be advised to repent but if they refused, they should be tried according to Shariah,” he added.
Ali Al-Hamad, a citizen, denounced the Awamiya incidents and called for harsh punitive measures against those responsible. “We should not allow anyone to undermine our stability and prosperity,” he said.
Tayseer Al-Saeed expressed absolute loyalty to the homeland and its leadership and said any act aimed at creating chaos should be sternly dealt with.
Sheikh Saeed Al-Hameed, a chieftain, condemned the acts of violence and said the citizens of Qatif were loyal to the country and its leadership. He said the dialogue organized by the governor of the region and his deputy had further cemented national unity.
