Bahraini Shias end prayers to protest regime persecution

Shia Muslim religious scholars in Bahrain have stopped holding congregational prayers in the country in protest at the heavy-handed crackdown and persecution by the ruling Aal-e Khalifah regime.

The clerics, in a statement titled “Those Barred from Praying” released on Thursday, condemned the Bahraini regime’s efforts to restrict Shia Muslims’ freedom of religion and belief, describing the situation in the country as “deplorable,” Arabic-language Bahrain Mirror news website reported.

The statement said that the Al Khalifa regime’s systematic suppression of Bahraini Shia Muslims has reached its highest level ever, and members of the kingdom’s largest religious community feel insecure and face threats of arrest and prosecution if they seek to observe their religious rituals, primarily congregational prayers and Friday prayers.

It pointed to the constant summoning of Bahraini Shia imams and leaders of Friday prayers and their frequent detentions and said regime officials want the prayers to be in accordance with their demands rather than Shia jurisprudence.

The statement concluded that the end to Shia Muslim congregational and Friday prayers in Bahrain will take effect on Thursday evening, and will be renewed weekly.

SS