Saudi Arabia on Saturday criticized Iraq's leaders for executing former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein during the Eid al-Adha feast, saying his trial had been politicized. "There is a feeling of surprise and disapproval that the verdict has been applied during the holy months and the first days of Eid al-Adha," a presenter on the official al-Ikhbariya TV said after programming was broken to read a statement.
"Leaders of Islamic countries should show respect for this blessed occasion...not demean it," said the statement, which was attributed to the official news agency SPA's political analyst.
"It had been expected that the trial of a former president, who ruled for a considerable length of time, would last longer...demonstrate more precision, and not be politicized."
Saturday is the most important date in this year's Islamic calendar, as Muslims all over the world mark the Eid al-Adha, or Feast of the Sacrifice. This religious feast is viewed by devout Muslims as a time of forgiveness and compassion and leaders of Islamic nations often pardon criminals to mark the occasion, and prisoners are rarely executed at that time.
