Sa'ad Al-Faqih

Sa'ad Rashed Mohammad al-Faqih ( _ar. سعد راشد محمد الفقيه) (born January 2, 1957 in Az Zubayr, Iraq), 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 [http://www.islah.tv/index.php?/english/ Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia (MIRA)] ] (MIRA). He lives in London and was a professor of surgery at King Saud University in Riyadh until 1994. He was a key player in preparing the “Letter of Demands” of 1991 and the "Memorandum of Advice" the following year. Both documents were endorsed by a considerable number of prominent figures and presented to King Fahd's chief of staff. [http://www.meforum.org/article/999 Al-Qaeda's Saudi Origin] , "Middle East Quarterly", Fall 2006; includes material on the history of Saudi political movements around 1991] To avoid persecution by Riyadh, he relocated to the United Kingdom in 1991 and established Committee for the Defense of Legitimate Rights along with another Saudi dissident Mohammad al-Massari. The two separated, and al-Faqih then set up MIRA in 1996. [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/GA21Ak01.html Asia Times article] ]

Al-Faqih's organisation opposes the current sociopolitical and religious policy of Saudi Arabia. Although campaigning for religious reform, he prefers not to be referred to as a Wahabbist. He maintains that Islam advocates separation of powers, freedom of expression, transparency and women's rights in contrast to what he maintains is the current Saudi policy. He is also an anti-royalist, asserting the Saudi government has lost its religious legitimacy.

In December 2004 the US Treasury identified al-Faqih as having financially assisted Al Qaeda, and alleges he has maintained relations to the group since 1998. [http://usinfo.state.gov/ei/Archive/2004/Dec/22-862859.html US Treasury announcement on al-Faqih and Batterjee (English)] ] [http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-arabic&y=2004&m=December&x=20041222131927bsibhew0.5364191 US Treasury announcement on al-Faqih and Batterjee (Arabic)] ] Two days later, the names of al-Faqih and MIRA were added to the UN 1267 Committee's list of individuals and entities belonging to or associated with al-Qaeda. [http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/committees/1267/tablelist.htm UN 1267 Committee banned entity list] ] The Treasury statement mentions al-Faqih's past affiliation with Osama bin Laden, Khalid al-Fawwaz, Mustafa Setmariam Nasar, and an obscure al-Qaedaideologue who writes, or used to write, under the name Lewis Attiyatullah. Sa'ad Al-Faqih asserts that authorities such as the United States government wish to vilify him because they are allies with the current Saudi regime which he opposes.

Al-Faqih operated the "al-Qalʿa" (القلعة) (or Castle) Internet forums, [http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/js2164.htm US Treasury statement on al-Faqih's forums] ] on which Islamic militants posted announcements of their attacks (such as the 7 July 2005 London bombings) and endorsements of such attacks. Al-Faqih denies responsibility, claiming they were out to defame him.

In the late 1990s al-Faqih, al-Fawwaz, and Ziyad Khaleel supplied Osama bin Laden with a satellite telephone and an electric kettle. [http://www.cooperativeresearch.org/entity.jsp?entity=ziyad_khaleel_1 Cooperative Research] summary of press reports about bin Laden's satellite phone]

References

External links

* [http://www.meib.org/articles/0311_saudii.htm 2003 interview with MEIB]
* [http://jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2369847 2005 interview with Jamestown Foundation]
* [http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/HD20Ak02.html 2006 interview with Asia Times]