Bahraini cleric thrown out of studio for supporting Iran on air

Rasa – After defending Iran while speaking live on Bahraini state television, a Shi’a cleric’s microphone was pulled from him and he was escorted out of the studio.

News ID: 3006

Date: 25 July 2015 - 19:40

RNA – In response to the Supreme Leader of Iran’s Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei’s, message of support for the oppressed nations of the world in his recent Eid al-Fitr sermon, in which he mentioned the people of Bahrain, the government of Bahrain has used its media and broadcasting companies to broadcast false propaganda against Iran.

On Thursday, Bahrain TV claimed that Iran was interfering in Bahrain’s internal affairs. The state television network invited Shaykh Muhammad-Sa’id al-Aradi, a Shi’a cleric, to participate in an interview-based program entitled “Iranian Interference.” However, as his answers were not in accordance with the channel’s policies, his microphone was cut in order to prevent him from defending Iran’s positions.

During the program, Shaykh al-Aradi argued that Iran’s position in regard to the Bahraini people is one of wisdom, legitimacy and brotherly advice. He said that there has been a wave of anger among Bahraini government supporters, and added that there has even been a call to dismiss the country’s information minister, Khalid ibn Ahmad Al Khalifa.

When asked by the host about Iran's interference in Bahraini affairs, Shaykh al-Aradi referred to the Quranic verse “...so give good news to My servants, who listen to the word [of God] and follow the best [interpretation] of it” [39:17-18], stressing the necessary of using Iran’s good advice to improve the situation in Bahrain.

The host later became angry with the position and answers taken by Shaykh al-Aradi and wanted him to answer his questions with only “yes” or “no” but Shaykh al-Aradi said: “Bring me the text of his [Ayatollah Khamenei’s] positions so that I can judge what he said!”

When it became clear to the program’s producers that Shaykh al-Aradi would not condemn Iran’s approach toward Bahrain, his microphone was taken from him away and his sound was cut.

Bahraini cyber-activists later announced that the Bahraini producer threw him out of the studio because of his positions.

The discriminatory approach of the government of Bahrain toward its majority Shi’a population has deprived many Shi’a students of access to scholarships abroad, which has caused a wave of anger among the island nation's average citizens.

Since the popular revolution against the Al Khalifa regime began on February 14, 2011, the Bahraini regime has spared no effort to suppress it. Hundreds of protesters have been jailed and dozens of others have been killed. Dozens of leaders of the revolution are currently in the prisons of the Al Khalifa regime.

The Bahraini people have fought to achieve their goals by holding peaceful mass protests and have vowed to continue their protests until they achieve democracy.

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