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Shiite-Sunni tensions threaten to destabilize Kuwait
[Al Arabiya] The Gulf state of Kuwait on Sunday banned public gatherings in a bid to contain rising tensions between Sunni and Shiite Mohammedans over inflammatory remarks by a Shiite activist in self-imposed exile.

"This is a (sectarian) rift and it must be stopped," head of the legal department at the interior ministry Brigadier Asaad al-Ruwayeh told a press conference as he read an official statement banning gatherings.

Any public gathering, procession or demonstration cannot be held without a prior approval from authorities, the statement said.

Ruwayeh said violators could face a two-year jail term, adding that the interior ministry is taking such measures to "safeguard security and stability of the country."

The government decision came as several Sunni Islamist groups announced they were holding public gatherings to press for the extradition of the Kuwaiti activist.

Sectarian tensions in this predominantly Sunni Gulf state flared after Yasser al-Habeeb, a Shiite who has been living in London since 2004, made disparaging remarks against the Prophet Mohammed's wife, Aisha.

Habeeb, who fled Kuwait to escape two 10-year prison terms for abusive remarks about Islam's first two caliphs, held a ceremony to celebrate the death anniversary of Aisha at his London office more than two weeks ago at which he made the remarks, according to video on his website.
Seriously? The country might fall because of something some idiot with a death wish said on the other side of the world? That the Ummah has not yet completely fallen into mutual murder is a wonderment. Truly these are skinless people in a sandpaper world.
The comments sparked a wave of condemnation by Sunni Islamists who urged the government to seek Habeeb's extradition or withdraw his citizenship, while Shiite MPs also called for similar action against Sunni muscle critical of Shiism.

A number of Sunni Islamist MPs threatened they would grill either the prime minister or the interior minister if the government failed to take action.

Shiites make up about one-third of the Kuwaiti population of 1.1 million people. They have nine members in the 50-seat parliament and two members in the emirate's 16-member cabinet.
Kuwait, Bahrain, Yemen... where else have Muslim sects turned to murdering one another as if it were the most important job in the universe?

Posted by: Fred 2010-09-20
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=305973