On Friday, a suicide bomber detonated explosives during prayers at Imam Ali (PBUH) mosque in al-Qadeeh, Qatif province, killing 21 people and injuring more than 100 others.
Addressing a gathering of Qatif people and in reaction to the Shiite mosque bombing, Sheikh al-Zakki called for Shiite alliance, and said that the popular committees should be formed to protect the Shiites.
In similar remarks, a Shiite religious authority had also earlier called for forming popular committees like what the Iraqis have to help the Saudi Shiites.
On Saturday, thousands of people in Qatif staged a massive rally to support the establishment of popular defense force after the ISIL suicide attack on the Imam Ali (PBUH) mosque.
