With the current heated sectarian tensions, it is only normal for the death of Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz to have wide ramifications on the Shiite street. The news received significant attention on all political, social and religious levels and among the diverse components of the Shiite community. The reactions were divided: While many celebrated, others deeply regretted the death of the Saudi monarch who was known for his moderate and reformist views. They saw in the transfer of power to King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud a loss of opportunity for Sunni-Shiite rapprochement, as Salman is a religious conservative who opposes the reform movement, which Abdullah had been a part of during his rule.

Abdullah had strong historical ties with many Shiite leaders, including Imam Musa al-Sadr with whom he had a close friendship.

Moreover, the Shiite religious leaders opposing the House of Saud, specifically Hezbollah al-Hejaz, had taken part in a national reconciliation project sponsored by the Saudi king when he [Abdullah] was crown prince. The situation of the Shiite minority relatively improved in Al-Ahsa and Qatif during Abdullah’s reign, and good relations persisted between him and religious Shiite leaders such as Sheikh Hassan al-Saffar and Hashem al-Salman.

Abdullah did not come from an extremist religious wing in the ruling Saudi family, and he did not tend to the Wahhabi religious institution, which played to his advantage. The power in Saudi Arabia is traditionally shared between the Saudi family and the religious Wahhabi institute that is mostly inherited by the descendants of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, such as current Mufti Abdul-Aziz ibn Abdullah Al ash-Sheikh.