Saudi authorities closed on the past few days two Shia mosques in Ras Tanura and Abqaiq, Eastern Province, to add to the already seven closed Shia mosques.

Sources informed that security forces closed the only Ismaili mosques in Ras Tanura and stopped Shia citizens from performing Jamaa prayer since last Friday.

Prior to the closure of the above mosque, the Shia mosque in Abqaiq was alos closed on last Friday.

Some internet sites reported that one Shia mosque in Jubail was also closed by authorities.

Shia public figures in Eastern Province are attempting to meet with Saudi officials to reopen the closed mosques.

Saudi authorities close Shia mosques with the excuse of not having permit to open these mosques and at the same time refuse to grant Shia citizens the permission to built new mosques when they apply for it.

Last month, two top secret circulars from Eastern Province Emara stressed that all Shia mosques must be closed in cities of Khobar, Dammam and Khafji.

Both circulars contained sectarian orders to enforce a ban on Shia building mosques or religious houses outside the Shia majority cities of Qatif, Hassa and Najran.

The annual US State Department report on International Religious Freedom condemned Saudi Arabia for its violations against Shia citizens.

The last week’s report ranked Saudi Arabia as one of the top “Religious Freedom” violators.

The report highlighted that Saudi Shia citizens are suffering a significant political, economic, legal, social, and religious discrimination, including limited employment and educational opportunities, underrepresentation in official institutions, and restrictions on the practice of their faith and on the building of places of worship and community centers.

This is the second report that shed light on Saudi violation to human rights and discrimination against Shia citizens.