Dr. Tawfiq AlSaif, a prominent Shiite intellectual and a political thinker, demanded the Saudi government to adopt a "courageous resolution" that ends sectarian discrimination against Shiite citizens.

In a recent political study that was published in the French Moyen-Orient magazine, Dr. AlSaif cleared what Shiites really desire which is to be treated as other Saudi citizens "no more, no less".

He said that Saudi Shiites want to be equal with other citizens in opportunities, before the law and in public resources. In return, they would hold their responsibilities as other Saudi citizens.

AlSaif believes that the Saudi government needs a scheduled program to end features of discrimination in law, policies and official practices. On the other hand, he confirmed the necessity of making initiatives by Shiite citizens in order to address the governmental concerns in terms of religion and security.

He emphasized the necessity of enacting regulations that criminate sectarianism, and that determines the required procedures against practicing it through official bodies.

He recommended the government to take actions that "causes a cultural shock" like appointing a number of Shiites in higher governmental positions as minister, ambassadors, vice ministers or managers of major bodies. AlSaif explained that such actions would not address the dilemma of sectarian discrimination, but they would give an influential message which shows that Shiites are not second-class citizens anymore.

He said that Saudi Shiite leaders do understand that addressing the sectarian dilemma is not easy at all, but there are some approaches that could be considered effective in the middle or the short term. He indicated that "the major problem" is the absence of mutual trust in the relationship between the Saudi government and its Shiite citizens.

He stressed that the only way to attain this trust back is through transparent discussion about the concerns of both parties and their recommendations for addressing them. He confirmed that Shiites are ready to contribute in solving the problem but they are waiting for the government to make the first step by approving making discussions at the national level.