Sa'ad Al-Faqih

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Sa'ad Rashed Mohammad al-Faqih (Arabic: 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^[1] (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.^[2] 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.^[3]

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.^[4]^[5] 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.^[6] The Treasury statement mentions al-Faqih's past affiliation with Osama bin Laden, Khalid al-Fawwaz, Mustafa Setmariam Nasar, and an obscure al-Qaeda ideologue who writes, or used to write, under the name Lewis Attiyatullah. Sa'ad Al-Faqih maintains 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,^[7] 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.^[8]