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צילום: AFP
Violence mars Shiite commemoration in Saudi Arabia
Website says hundreds of Sunnis attacked Shiites in Medina during saint's commemoration
A Saudi security official says violent clashes broke out between residents of the holy city of Medina on the day minority Shiite Muslims commemorated the death of their most sacred saint.
The official refused to elaborate on the cause of Thursday's clashes but said security forces were deployed to disperse the crowds. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the press.
A Shiite news website called Rasid reported that hundreds of Sunni hard-liners attacked Shiites during the commemorations, known as Ashoura. The day of mourning marks the killing of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson Hussein in the year 680 in present day Iraq.
Shiites make up 10 percent of predominantly Sunni Saudi Arabia and complain of discrimination.
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