A/52/477 English Page 14 46. The Special Rapporteur addressed reminders to States that had not replied to communications addressed to them in connection with the fifty-third session of the Commission on Human Rights: Albania, Algeria, Bolivia, Chad, Eritrea, Georgia, Greece, Israel, Lebanon, Malaysia, Maldives, Moldova, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Somalia, Tajikistan, the United States of America, Viet Nam and Yemen. 47. Saudi Arabia replied that the Government of the Kingdom respected and valued religious freedom in accordance with its laws. It specified that it was not opposed to non-Muslims practising their religion in their homes. In addition to being guaranteed freedom in private life and the inviolability of their homes, under article 37 of the Constitution Christians have, according to the authorities, the same status of all other residents of the Kingdom, Muslim or otherwise. Islam commands that the people of the Book should be treated with justice and probity, and they are on an equal footing with Muslims as to the rights and duties that stem from the social order, in keeping with the Islamic doctrine that "their rights are the same as our rights and their responsibilities are the same as our responsibilities". As for the Shiites, the authorities maintain that nothing in the Shariah or in the Constitution establishes any distinction between Shiites and non-Shiites. The absence of any discriminatory practice against Shiites was likewise emphasized, as was the fact that the State punished any departure from this policy by isolated individuals. Regarding the allegation that the wearing of the turban during prayers was prohibited, the reply was that it would be inconceivable for the Government of the Kingdom to forbid following the example of the Prophet himself. Lastly, the allegations of discrimination in educational matters by Sunni Muslims were refuted. 48. The Special Rapporteur thanks the Saudi Arabian authorities for their detailed and closely reasoned reply and attaches the highest importance to their firm intention to cooperate with him and with all the human rights bodies. Their intention deserves to be noted and warmly welcomed. 49. Bolivia explained that, in legal terms, the procedure for registering non-Catholic religious organizations was not long and costly. It also refuted the allegation that the holding of non-Catholic religious services was forbidden in the army. 50. Malaysia stated that all persons who had belonged to the Al Arqam movement,10 now banned, had been released and had asked the Government to help them to counteract the aberrant teachings spread by that movement. 51. Regarding late replies received after the report to the fifty-third session of the Commission on Human Rights was completed but before the letters of reminder were sent, the States involved were Burundi, China, Cyprus, Ethiopia, Greece, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Nepal, Turkey and Yugoslavia. 52. Burundi explained that many of the murders of religious had had nothing to do with religious intolerance. 53. China recalled that its legislation and policy guaranteed the protection of freedom of religion. It stated that /...