Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia
Encyclopedia
The Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia (MIRA), a U.K.-based Saudi oppositionist organization headed by Dr. Sa'ad Al-Faqih
, who has been a key figure in the reform movement in Saudi Arabia since the Persian Gulf War
. According to Dr. al-Faqih, "[the] MIRA office in London is the information and media centre of the movement rather than the leadership." The Movement of Islamic Reforms was established in London in April 1996, and its aim, along with that of the Committee for the Defense of Legitimate Rights
(CDLR), is to topple the Saudi regime using force.
According to a 2005 US State Department
report on human rights in Saudi Arabia
, MIRA was founded in 1996 as a splinter of the Committee for the Defense of Legitimate Rights
, both of which "continued to advocate overthrowing the [Saudi] monarchy by force." The report adds, "In December 2004 police arrested 21 persons for taking part in Jeddah in an antigovernment protest sponsored by MIRA, whose leader, Sa'ad al-Faqih, was a supporter of international terrorism."
Sa'ad Al-Faqih
Dr Sa'ad Rashed Mohammad al-Faqih , also known as Sa'ad Al-Fagih, Sa'ad Al-Fakih or Sa'ad Al-Faki is a Muslim Saudi national who heads the Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia . He lives in London and was a professor of surgery at King Saud University in Riyadh until 1994...
, who has been a key figure in the reform movement in Saudi Arabia since the Persian Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
. According to Dr. al-Faqih, "[the] MIRA office in London is the information and media centre of the movement rather than the leadership." The Movement of Islamic Reforms was established in London in April 1996, and its aim, along with that of the Committee for the Defense of Legitimate Rights
Committee for the Defense of Legitimate Rights
The Committee for the Defense of Legitimate Rights was a Saudi dissident group created in 1993 which opposed the Saudi government as un-Islamic.-History:...
(CDLR), is to topple the Saudi regime using force.
According to a 2005 US State Department
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
report on human rights in Saudi Arabia
Human rights in Saudi Arabia
Human rights in Saudi Arabia are intended to be based on Islamic religious laws under rule of the Saudi royal family. The government of Saudi Arabia, and the Saudi legal system, has been criticized for its treatment of religious and political minorities, homosexuals, apostates, and women...
, MIRA was founded in 1996 as a splinter of the Committee for the Defense of Legitimate Rights
Committee for the Defense of Legitimate Rights
The Committee for the Defense of Legitimate Rights was a Saudi dissident group created in 1993 which opposed the Saudi government as un-Islamic.-History:...
, both of which "continued to advocate overthrowing the [Saudi] monarchy by force." The report adds, "In December 2004 police arrested 21 persons for taking part in Jeddah in an antigovernment protest sponsored by MIRA, whose leader, Sa'ad al-Faqih, was a supporter of international terrorism."