Saudi police arrested the renowned Canadian Imam Shiekh Usama Al-Atar at al-Madinah al-Monawwara, after they had beaten him.

Saudi police arrested the renowned Canadian Imam Shiekh Usama Al-Atar at al-Madinah al-Monawwara, after they had beaten him.

Shiekh al-Atar travelled to Saudi Arabia to perform the annual Muslim Hajj pilgrimage. He was arrested after he was leading a prayer recitation at al-Bakee’ cemetery early on Sunday.

Canadian channel, CBC, quoted witnesses as saying that angry words were spoken, then things calmed down when a member of the religious police approached Al-Atar, offered to shake his hand and then called out to a group of men at a taxi stand.

They rushed in and began beating Al-Atar, kicking him and attempting to throttle him, the witnesses said.
Medina central police arrived and escorted the Canadian to a car and drove away, according to the witnesses.
It's believed that Shiekh Al-Atar, Iraqi from Karbala, who has a PhD in chemistry and is a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Alberta, has been charged with assault. However, Saudi police have not confirmed it.

More than 200 people attended a session Sunday afternoon at the Islamic Shia Ithna-Asheri Association of Edmonton to pray for Al-Atar's safe return. Many said they wanted the Canadian government to intervene.

The Foreign Affairs Department issued a statement Sunday afternoon saying it was aware of Al-Atar's arrest and would provide consular assistance.

As well, the Islamic Human Rights Commission issued a statement Sunday calling for Al-Atar's immediate release. The U.K.-based commission, which says it campaigns for justice for people of all faiths, is trying to secure a lawyer for Al-Atar.
It's not clear whether others in the group of pilgrims with Al-Atar, including Canadians and Britons, were injured.

source: CBC, agencies