Sheikh Issa Qassim: Attack on Religious Processions in Bahrain is a Flagrant Violation Against Freedom

Wednesday, 08 June 2011 10:25

Bahraini Shiite clerics condemned police on Tuesday of violating religious freedoms by breaking up into streets, shot tear gas and live bullete to suppress festivals held for commemoration of martyrdom anniverasry of Imam Hadi (a), 10th Shiite Imam. “The targeting of processions is a flagrant violation of freedom to practice religious rites,” said a statement by five senior Shiite clerics, including Sheikh Issa Qassim, the most revered cleric. "The tight security policing must end and people's rights must be respected," it said. Shi'ite villagers, some beating their chests and chanting religious verses as they marched through the streets, were marking the festival of mourning, which commemorates the martyrdom of one of Imam Hadi (a), 10th Shiite Imam. Residents and Shi'ite opposition group Wefaq said police used tear gas, bullets, sound grenades and birdshot to break up the marches in several Shi'ite areas around Manama, but a police claimed on Tuesday that some people had been arrested for anti-government chants.