Bahraini Regime Continues Ban on Holding Friday Prayers in Diraz

Rasa - The Al Khalifa regime, in line with its moves to silence voices of dissent, once again prevented Muslims from attending Friday Prayers ceremony in the restive region of Diraz, which is the hometown of the spiritual leader of Bahrain’s Shiite majority, Sheikh Isa Qassim.

News ID: 426011

Date: 24 December 2016 - 22:59

RNA - As in previous weeks, Bahraini security forces on Friday barred worshippers in Diraz, west of Manama, from attending Friday Prayers in Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque, the largest mosque in the town, the Arabic-language Al Manar TV reported.

The Al Khalifa forces and their armored vehicles were deployed to Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque on Friday, according to the report.

The security forces have prevented Muslims from reaching the mosque for months. The move is part of the regime’s crackdown on the Shiite people and clergy that has intensified in the past months.

Manama announced on June 20 that the citizenship of Sheikh Qassim has been revoked, accusing him of sowing sectarian divisions.

The regime later said it would put the senior cleric on trial on charges of “illegal fund collections, money laundering and helping terrorism.”

Sheikh Qassim’s planned trials were adjourned several times after the prominent cleric did not appear in court.

Bahrain, a close ally of the US in the Persian Gulf region, has been witnessing almost daily protests against the ruling Al Khalifa dynasty since early 2011, with Manama using heavy-handed measures in an attempt to crush the demonstrations.

Scores of Bahrainis have been killed and hundreds of others injured and arrested in the ongoing crackdown on the peaceful demonstrations.

Amnesty International and many other international rights organizations have frequently censured the Bahraini regime for the rampant human rights abuses against opposition groups and anti-regime protesters.

847/940