Concerns are growing for jailed Saudi activist Abdullah al-Hamid, who is 69 years old and in need of a major heart operation (making him particularly at risk from COVID-19). He is also being denied family visits and phone calls, according to @ALQST_ORG. #عبدالله_الحامد_بخطر

In this thread I’m going to discuss the history and activism of al-Hamid (also known as Abu Belal). He is perhaps Saudi Arabia’s most important political reformer, having influenced a movement of like-minded Saudis and shaped reformist discourse over the course of decades.

Al-Hamid first became politically active in the 1990s, when he co-founded the Committee for the Defence of Legitimate Rights with other activists from the Sahwa (Islamic Awakening) movement. This led to his first arrest (in total he was detained four times during this period).