Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim, the leader of Bahrain's Shia community, assigned the responsibility of ensuring the security of these scholars to all the people of Bahrain, ahead of the trial of the religious scholars scheduled for November 8, 2023 (17 Aban 1402) by the Al Khalifa regime. These remarks come at a time when tensions between the government and the Shia community in Bahrain have significantly escalated.
The Importance of Ensuring Scholars' Security
Ayatollah Qassim emphasized that religious scholars play a vital role in guiding and calming society, stating that protecting religious and scholarly figures is a national and humanitarian responsibility. He noted that any threat against religious scholars is a threat against the Islamic community and Bahrain's national identity.
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The leader of Bahrain's Shia community also pointed out that religious scholars, as intellectual and cultural leaders, have always taken steps to preserve Islamic values and principles, and therefore must be supported. He added: "As a community, we must stand firm against any acts of insecurity that may occur against our scholars."
The Background of Tensions in Bahrain
The trial of religious scholars in Bahrain is part of a broader trend in which the Al Khalifa regime seeks to exert more control over the Shia community in the country. These actions include suppressing protesters, limiting freedom of expression, and arresting political activists. The history of conflicts in Bahrain shows that many of these actions have led to public discontent and demands for reforms in recent years.
In this context, Ayatollah Qassim advised the people of Bahrain to take advantage of their solidarity and unity and strive to maintain the security and tranquility of the community. He also highlighted the importance of establishing dialogue among various social and political currents in Bahrain as a way to resolve existing crises.
These statements by Ayatollah Qassim come at a time when the international community is paying special attention to the situation of human rights and religious freedoms in Bahrain. It is expected that international reactions to the trial of religious scholars will put more pressure on the Bahraini government to respect the rights of the people.
Ultimately, Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim emphasized that ensuring the security of religious scholars is a duty that should not be forgotten, urging the people of Bahrain to cooperate with each other in this path, which faces many challenges, and to defend their rights.
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