Help Wanted – Saudi Executioners

Saudi Arabia is advertising for 8 more executioners. They have already beheaded 85 people thus far this year, and apparently are needing more help for the ‘workload.’ Over 2014, they only beheaded 88 people. This year they are on track to make it a record.

job opening in Saudi Arabia- swordsmen for executioners

The New York Times wrote,

“Job seekers in Saudi Arabia who have a strong constitution and endorse strict Islamic law might consider new opportunities carrying out public beheadings and amputating the hands of convicted thieves.

The eight positions, as advertised on the website of the Ministry of Civil Service, require no specific skills or educational background for “carrying out the death sentence according to Islamic  Shariah after it is ordered by a legal ruling.” But given the grisly nature of the job, a scarcity of  qualified swordsmen in some regions of the country and a rise in the frequency of executions, candidates might face a heavy workload.”

Sheik Nimr Al-Nimr

Human rights and shariah do not mix

Saudi Arabia’s human rights record is poor. Recently, an international outcry erupted over their plan to behead a Shi’ite Cleric named Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.  What did he do? He participated in minority protests.

قطیف میں شیخ المنر کی رہائی کے لئے احتجاج مظاہرہ http://t.co/2Lt7DdWM0V @QatifRev pic.twitter.com/Du7YfUYBCS

— ShiiteNews Media (@ShiiteNewsMedia) May 19, 2015

USE ALL DIPLOMATIC MEANS TO INTERVENE AND STOP THE EXECUTION OF SHEIKH AL-NIMR http://t.co/iDWtOG2eGU #No2Saudi pic.twitter.com/63dH6xvm84 — Shia News (@shianews313) May 9, 2015

Though the deed was supposed to be done on the 14th, they unexpectedly postponed it (which is a normal occurrence).  Since they are under pressure to not kill him, likely the sentence will be carried out at the last minute and no one will know when that is until after it is done. They had planned to hang the body in a public place -minus his head.

Saudi Arabia is ripe for civil unrest.  The country is predominantly Sunni Muslim, with several different schools of thought, the most rigid being the Wahabi form of Islam. None of them are favorable toward Shi’ites, whom they view as heretics.

Experts say that killing Sheikh Al-Nimr may touch off unrest like they’ve not yet seen in the Middle East. Will Saudi Arabia listen to the public outcry? Doubtful, since they are looking for even more executioners to carry out the death penalty cases.