Ayatollah Isa Qassim's Health Deteriorates

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Ayatollah Isa Qassim's Health Deteriorates Congratulations on the Start of Imam Mahdi’s (AS) Divine Mission Iranian Warships Attend Bangladeshi Drills Pirate Attack on Iranian Vessel Thwarted TEHRAN (Dispatches) – The Iranian Navy’s 49th flotilla TEHRAN (Press TV) -- Iranian naval forces have thwarted a of warships is taking part in the Indian Ocean Naval pirate attack on one of the country’s merchant vessels in the Gulf Symposium Multilateral Maritime Search and Rescue of Aden. Iran’s 48th naval fleet, comprised of Alvand destroyer and Exercise-2017 (IMMSAREX-17) drills that started in the Bay Lavan logistic warship, rescued the Iranian ship from an attack of Bengal on Monday. by pirates in south of Ras Sharbitat region in Oman on Sunday The Iranian fleet, comprising Sablan destroyer and Bandar morning. Pirates attacked the Iranian merchant ship, named Abbas logistic-combat warship, has sailed more than 3,800 Caspian Harmony, in a bid to hijack it, but they were forced to flee nautical miles to reach Bangladesh. President Abdul Hamid after a heavy exchange of fire by the Iranian fleet. Iran’s 48th naval inaugurated the exercise at the Hotel Royal Tulip, adjacent fleet set off for high seas on September 2 on a mission to maintain to Inani Beach at Cox’s Bazar on Monday. the Islamic Republic’s power in international waters and safeguard maritime routes. VOL NO: LV 10477 TEHRAN / Est.1959 Tuesday, November 28, 2017, Azar 7, 1396, Rabi al-Awwal 9, 1439, Price 15000 Rials Viewpoint Encounters Iranian Freestylers Over 11 Million By: Kayhan Int’l Staff Writer Director Joins Earn 3 Medals Children in Would the Pope Defend the Cinema Verite in U23 World Yemen Urgently Rights of Rohingya Muslims? P. 2 Jury P. 3 Championships P. 6 Need Aid P. 8 Amid Bahraini Regime’s House Arrest: Coundown to the Reappearance of the Redeemer By: Seyyed Ali Shahbaz Ayatollah Isa Qassim’s Health Deteriorates excreting blood. “Certainly We wrote in the Psalms, after the Torah: ‘Indeed My righteous servants shall Doctors who visited him on inherit the earth.’” (Holy Qur’an 21:105) Sunday at his home in the village God’s promise is true, and the day will definitely come when the Planet will be rid of all of Diraz, outside the capital oppressors, oppression, corruption and vices, with establishment of the global government of peace, prosperity and justice. Manama, have diagnosed him to This will materialize through the reappearance of the Redeemer of mankind, along with be suffering from a “groin hernia Prophet Jesus (AS, to make the righteous and virtuous masters of the earth, as was foretold in requiring emergency operation,” all heavenly scriptures. according to the London-based As a matter of fact, the Saviour of humanity is among us, although our physical eyes cannot Bahrain Institute for Rights and perceive him. Blessed be the true believers who are eagerly waiting for his return. th Democracy (BIRD). As a matter of fact, today the 9 of Rabi al-Awwal marks the start of the divinely-designated “Such an operation carries a mission of the 12th and Last Infallible Heir of the Almighty’s Last and Greatest Messenger, Prophet Mohammad (SAWA). high mortality risk at Sheikh Isa He is the Prophet’s namesake, and was a boy of only five years when he was orphaned the Qassim’s age. He also suffers day before on the 8th of Rabi al-Awwal, 260 AH, with the martyrdom through poisoning of his high blood pressure, diabetes and father, Imam Hasan Askari (AS). a form of heart disease,” BIRD The divine mantle of imamate came to rest on his shoulders under circumstances when the added in a statement. self-styled caliph of the usurper Abbasid regime, after assassinating his father, was bent upon Sheikh Maytham al-Salman, finding him and murdering him as well. But by the Grace of Allah Who bestowed prophethood upon Jesus (AS) while still a boy in the a prominent Bahraini interfaith cradle and saved him from the conspiracies of the Israelite, the 12th Imam went into occultation, activist, said the Manama regime and will reappear as “Qa’em al-Mahdi” in the end times to cleanse the Planet of all vestiges of was responsible for Qassim’s oppression and corruption by establishing the global government of peace and justice. health as it controlled access to This has been promised in the holy Qur’an, for instance in ayah 5 of Surah Qassas, which medical treatment. reads: “The international community “And We desired to show favour to those who were abased in the land, and to make them must ensure Bahrain is pressured Imams, and to make them the Heirs;” Whatever the arrogant and the ignorant do, with all their material and military power, they to ensure the safety of Sheikh Isa cannot belie the Words of God Almighty. Qassim is protected,” he added in According to Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (AS), the Gateway of the City of Wisdom and comments published by BIRD. Knowledge, the above-mentioned ayah refers to the Imams of the Ahl al-Bayt or the blessed Bahrainis have staged unprecedented solidarity with Ayatollah Isa Qassim against the oppressive regime. The Interior Ministry announced household of the Prophet of Islam, whose rights were usurped and the day will come when in June 2016 that Qassim’s th the 12 and Last Infallible Heir of the Seal of Messengers, will appear to establish the global DUBAI (Dispatches) -- The following a government decision to Qassim’s state of health, Reuters citizenship had been revoked, government of peace, prosperity and justice. health of Bahrain’s top Shia revoke his citizenship. reported. accusing him of trying to divide Yesterday, we commemorated the martyrdom of Imam Hasan al-Askari (AS), the Prophet’s 11th Infallible Heir, who was forced to leave the world in the prime of his youth, at the age of Muslim cleric has deteriorated, Bahraini officials did not respond News about his condition has Bahraini society, encourage youths 28 years, through a fatal dose of poison administered on the orders of the arrogantly ignorant activists said on Monday, after to a request for a comment on stoked tension in Bahrain as the to violate the constitution and Mo’tamed, the self-styled caliph of the usurper Abbasid regime. months under virtual house arrest the reports about Ayatollah Isa monarchy pursues a crackdown promote a sectarian environment The head of the superpower of those days then launched a manhunt in vain for the son of his on dissent by majority Shias that in the Persian Gulf Arab state. victim, on learning that the Prophet’s 12th Heir, the Promised Mahdi, who would rid the world of has included closing down two The decision sparked angry corruption and oppression and whose birth he had tried to prevent, was already born. main political groupings and protests in Bahrain and drew The Abbasids, unable to find any trace of the 5-year old orphan and deeming him too weak banning activists from travel or to pose any danger to their rule, since his mother had predeceased his father and his uncle Ja’far Hamas: Resistance sharp condemnation from regional was also against him, they continued their misrule of sins, corruption and oppression for a few putting them on trial. power Iran and statements of more centuries, until another bloodthirsty tyrant, the Mongol Marauder Hulaku Khan, thrust the Activists said Qassim, who is concern from the United States so-called caliph into several sacks and trampled him under the hooves of horses. Weapons a ‘Red Line’ believed to be in his 70s, was and Britain. Imam Ja’far as-Sadeq (AS, the 6th Infallible Heir of the Prophet, over a century before the birth suffering constant pain and (Continued on Page 7) of Imam Mahdi (AS), has given tidings: GAZA, Palestinian Territory — The Going further, he added “These “When the Qa’em shall arise, he will rule with justice, the tyrants of his time shall fear him, Palestinian resistance movement Hamas weapons will clearly move to the West the righteous will be safe, the earth shall reveal its treasures, all the truth-seekers will seek his vowed Monday to expand its military Bank to battle the (Israeli) occupation company and no follower of any religion would remain except that they see Islam and declare Netanyahu’s Former Security Aide: their faith in it.” activities against Israel into the West Bank, there. It’s our right to fight the occupation He also said: “The earth has not been devoid of a representative of God, since God created as the organization began reconciliation until it ends.” Adam; a representative that was either visible and well-known or invisible and concealed. with Palestinian President Mahmoud Hamas decries the Palestinian Saudis ‘Don’t Give a Damn’ (Likewise) The earth will not remain devoid of such a representative of God till the occurrence Abbas’s Fatah party. Authority’s security cooperation with the of the Hour (Doomsday), for if it were to remain without God’s representative, then God would Hamas has ruled Gaza since winning occupying regime of Israel in the West About Palestinians not be worshipped!” legislative elections in 2006 and ousting Bank. Now in our present times, the caliphate of the criminals has ended with the defeat of Daesh AL-QUDS (Dispatches) -- Saudi of increasingly public signs that the Fatah from the coastal territory the Al-Hayya’s remarks highlight stark in both Iraq and Syria, let us cast a look at the concept of Imam Mahdi amongst our Sunni Arabia is so eager to establish diplomatic occupying regime of Israel and Saudi following year, a move that prompted differences between the two groups; the brethren.
Recommended publications
  • The Sunni and Shiite Axes in the Middle East
    The Sunni and Shiite Axes in the Middle East Sima Shine 2QHRIWKHGH¿QLQJFKDUDFWHULVWLFVRIWKH0LGGOH(DVWRIUHFHQW\HDUVKDV been the worsening crisis between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and the efforts on both sides to consolidate regional coalitions in order to increase their regional LQÀXHQFH2YHUWKHODVWGHFDGHWKHUHJLRQZLWQHVVHGDVHULHVRIGUDPDWLF developments, caused by both endogenous and exogenous factors, while in the background the Saudi-led Sunni axis and the Iran-led Shiite axis took shape. On the one hand, the region saw the collapse of some Arab states as a result of their populations’ pent-up disappointment with the oppressive regimes that were unable to meet civilian needs. This development, along with the failure of secular pan-Arabism, paved the way for the rise of political Islam and the return of religion – in itself fertile ground for factionalism and sectarianism – to the region’s political arena. The strengthening of the Sunni sector, which lacked a universally recognized spiritual-religious center, HQDEOHGWKHGHYHORSPHQWRIDUDQJHRI6XQQLJURXSVZKRDUHQRZ¿JKWLQJ each other while exploiting the disintegration of some state frameworks, and QXUWXULQJWKH6XQQL6KLLWHFRQÀLFW2QWKHRWKHUKDQGWKH$PHULFDQLQYDVLRQ RI,UDTWKHUHPRYDORI6DGGDP+XVVHLQ¶V6XQQLUHJLPHDQGWKHULVHRIWKH 6KLLWHPDMRULW\OHGWRWKH¿UVWHYHU6KLLWHUHJLPHLQDQ$UDEFRXQWU\DQG paved the way for Iran’s massive entry to the arena. This is how the “Shiite FUHVFHQW´FRPSULVLQJ,UDQ,UDT6\ULDDQG/HEDQRQZDVIRUPHG7KHZDU in Yemen, in which Iran is aiding the Shiite-allied Houthis, strengthened WKHLPDJHRIWKHVSUHDGRI,UDQLDQLQÀXHQFHIURPWKH*XOIDQGWKH6WUDLWRI Hormuz to the Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea. 141 Sima Shine At the heart of the rising tension and rivalry is the relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which has known many ups and downs in the almost four decades since the Islamic Revolution in Iran and Ayatollah Khomeini’s blunt statement that the House of Saud must be overthrown.
    [Show full text]
  • The UK's Relations with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain
    House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee The UK’s relations with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain Fifth Report of Session 2013–14 Volume II Additional written evidence Ordered by the House of Commons to be published 12 November 2013 Published on 22 November 2013 by authority of the House of Commons London: The Stationery Office Limited The Foreign Affairs Committee The Foreign Affairs Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and its associated agencies. Current membership Rt Hon Richard Ottaway (Conservative, Croydon South) (Chair) Mr John Baron (Conservative, Basildon and Billericay) Rt Hon Sir Menzies Campbell (Liberal Democrat, North East Fife) Rt Hon Ann Clwyd (Labour, Cynon Valley) Mike Gapes (Labour/Co-op, Ilford South) Mark Hendrick (Labour/Co-op, Preston) Sandra Osborne (Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) Andrew Rosindell (Conservative, Romford) Mr Frank Roy (Labour, Motherwell and Wishaw) Rt Hon Sir John Stanley (Conservative, Tonbridge and Malling) Rory Stewart (Conservative, Penrith and The Border) The following Members were also members of the Committee during the parliament: Rt Hon Bob Ainsworth (Labour, Coventry North East) Emma Reynolds (Labour, Wolverhampton North East) Mr Dave Watts (Labour, St Helens North) Powers The Committee is one of the departmental select committees, the powers of which are set out in House of Commons Standing Orders, principally in SO No 152. These are available on the internet via www.parliament.uk. Publication The Reports and evidence of the Committee are published by The Stationery Office by Order of the House. All publications of the Committee (including news items) are on the internet at www.parliament.uk/facom.
    [Show full text]
  • A Comparative Analysis of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and Bahrain's February 14Th Movement Based on Goldstone's Fourth Generation Theory
    Science Arena Publications Specialty Journal of Politics and Law ISSN: 2520-3282 Available online at www.sciarena.com 2018, Vol, 3 (4): 62-78 A Comparative Analysis of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and Bahrain's February 14th Movement Based on Goldstone's Fourth Generation Theory Ehsan Bagheri Dana1, Alireza Beygi1, Peyman Hassani2* 1 Islamic Studies and Political Science, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran, 2 Islamic Studies and Law, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran. *Corresponding Author Abstract: The comparative analysis of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and Bahrain's February 14th movement as two Islamic countries which have been highly affected by each other in various fields is of great importance. By adapting the most critical Western ideas about the Islamic Revolution of Iran and analyzing its similarities and differences with Bahrain's February 14th movement, some of their most significant similarities and differences can be found. The " Goldstone's fourth generation " theory, which was presented as one of the late theories in the cause of the revolution, was evaluated by some scholars of the Islamic revolution in Iran and is still under investigation. The present study aimed at explaining the similarities and differences between the two events and evaluate the influence Bahrain’s movement from the Islamic Revolution of Iran through the comparative analysis of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and Bahrain's February 14th movement based on Goldstone's fourth generation theory. The findings of this study which were obtained based on a descriptive- analytical method and collection of sources based on the library and interviews with elite indicated that the Bahrain’s system in Bahrain's February 14th movement attempted to deny the effect of the Iranian revolution on Bahrain and introduce Bahrain's developments due to religious differences between Shiite and Sunni.
    [Show full text]
  • Updates on the Crackdown on Human Rights in Bahrain
    Issue #2 September 2016 Updates on the Crackdown on Human Rights in Bahrain Enclosed a report on the 33rd session of the Human Rights council 400 Students Remain Detained with Launch of Academic Year The founder and president of the Bahrain Teach- ers’ Association (BTA), and assistant Secretary General of the Arab Teachers Union, Mahdi Abu Deeb, said on his Twitter account, “while students wear their school costumes, carry their school bags and go to their schools, there are 400 stu- dents that are detained and deprived from the right to education.” He, also, confirmed that it is the government’s full responsibility to overcome all hardships for the sake of the right to education, rath- er than create hardships. Therefore, “each detained student is in their protection as long as they are detained.” Mahdi Abu Deeb A Bahraini Boy Kept in Solitary Confinement On Sunday (September 4, 2016) Mostafa al-Motgha- wi (16 years old), the brother of the activist Ahmad al-Motghawi, received a summon to be present for interrogation at the Budaiya Police Station where he was arrested and kept in custody in the following day over charges of demonstrating in Duraz. On Wednes- day (September 7, 2016), Mostafa was transferred to the criminal investigations department building, despite the prosecutions’ deci- sion to release him. His lawyer and family members Mostafa al-Motghawi were not allowed to visit him. On Sunday (September 18, 2016), the tion. Bahraini authorities released Mostafa The two boys face charges related 12 days following his arrest. to taking part in Duraz protest that In a similar move, the authorities de- has being ongoing since over 90 days cided to detain boy Ali Mohammad Al- against revoking the citizenship of Aya- Moamen for 7 days pending investiga- tollah Sheikh Isa Qassim.
    [Show full text]
  • Iran's Clandestine War on the Kingdom of Bahrain
    41 Dirasat Iran’s Clandestine War on the Kingdom of Bahrain: Saraya al Ashtar and the Military Wing of Hezbollah Bahrain Jumada I, 1440 - January 2019 Mitchell Belfer - Khalid Alshaikh Iran’s Clandestine War on the Kingdom of Bahrain: Saraya al Ashtar and the Military Wing of Hezbollah Bahrain Mitchell Belfer - Khalid Alshaikh 4 Dirasat No. 41 Jumada I, 1440 - January 2019 © King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, 2019 King Fahd National Library Cataloging-In-Publication Data Alshaikh, Khalid - Belfer, Mitchell Irans Clandestine War the Kingdom of Bahrain: Saraya al Ashtar and the Military Wing of. / Alshaikh, Khalid - Belfer, Mitchell . - Riyadh , 2019 (دراسات ؛ p ; 23 x 16.5 cm . - ( 41 32 ISBN: 978-603-8268-00-1 1 - Iraq - Foreign relations 2- Bahrain I - Title II-Series 327.537055 dc 1440/3856 L.D. no. 1440/3856 ISBN: 978-603-8268-00-1 Table of Contents Abstract 6 Introduction and Overview 7 Saraya al Ashtar (SaA) 9 The Al-Wafa Islamic Movement and the SaA 13 The Military Wing of Hezbollah Bahrain (MWHB) 19 Some Impacts to Consider 24 Constraining the Iranian Threat 26 Conclusion 28 5 6 Dirasat No. 41 Jumada I, 1440 - January 2019 Abstract The 1979 Iranian revolution continues to reverberate throughout the Middle East. While many of the more pronounced Iranian proxies, such as the Lebanese Hezbollah and the Houthi militia in Yemen, are the focus of a wide assortment of terror-state explorations, it is important to look at some of the other organizations that Tehran utilizes in pursuit of its regional and international interests.
    [Show full text]
  • Pdf | 465.03 Kb
    Regional Overview – Middle East 5 March 2019 acleddata.com/2019/03/05/regional-overview-middle-east-5-march-2019/ Tom Hart March 5, 2019 Throughout the Middle East region last week, overall instances of battles continued to decrease, while remote violence events, such as airstrikes and IED attacks, also decreased following a two-month upward trend. Despite this, reported fatalities increased significantly, especially in Yemen, where the above trends were reversed. Demonstration events, meanwhile, decreased across all countries in the region. In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the main focal point of news reports last week. On 28 February, a UN Human Rights Council probe concluded that Israeli soldiers may have committed war crimes and/or crimes against humanity in their response to the Great Return marches in Gaza, which included the fatal shooting of medics, journalists, children, and disabled persons (Times of Israel, 28 February 2019). On the same day, Israel’s attorney general announced his intention to indict Netanyahu for bribery, fraud, and other charges with just 40 days before his re-election run (New York Times, 28 February 2019). In response, Israelis took to the street of Tel Aviv and demonstrated for his resignation. Whilst hundreds of Israelis took part in the demonstration against the PM, there were reports of only a few dozen demonstrating in his support. Meanwhile, in the southern province, a number of incendiary balloons were launched across the border from Gaza throughout the week. One such balloon exploded mid-air and caused damage to a number of homes in the Eshkol Regional Council, while another caused a fire in Kissufim forest.
    [Show full text]
  • A Shift Among the Shi'a Will a Marj'a Emerge from the Arabian Peninsula?
    A SHIFT AMONG THE SHI'A WILL A MARJ'A EMERGE FROM THE ARABIAN PENINSULA? ABBAS KADHIM & ABDULLAH F. ALREBH JANUARY 2021 POLICY PAPER 2021 P CONTENTS * 1 UNDERSTANDING SHI’A RELIGIOUS AUTHORITY * 2 COMPLICATED LOYALTIES: RELIGION AND THE STATE * 4 THE MARJ'AIYYAH IN THE ARAB GULF : A BRIEF HISTORY * 5 GCC SHI’A AND THE TRANSNATIONAL MARJ‘AS * 7 HOW DOES A CLERIC BECOME A MARJ’A? * 8 THE POSSIBLE CANDIDATES * 10 OBSTACLES TO A LOCAL MARJ'AIYYAH P SUMMARY The highest-ranking Shi’a religious authorities are known as marj’as. These clerics have large followings who “emulate” them, which entails adherence to the marj‘as’ legal decisions, spiritual practices, and often, political positions. Currently, most marj‘as are Iranian and reside in either Qom, Iran or in Najaf, Iraq . Many of their followers, however, live in Sunni-majority Persian Gulf states. In light of the political tensions between Iran and the Gulf states, officials in the latter have expressed reservations about the relationship between Shi’a citizens and Iranian religious leaders. This paper looks at the poliitical implications of the relationship between Shi’a in the Gulf states and Iranian marj‘as. It considers the historical background to these ties as well as the Gulf states’ concerns surrounding the outflow to Iran of religious taxes, which are interpreted as a sign of possibly conflicting loyalties. The authors argue that the emergence of a marj‘a who would be based in one of the Gulf states could quell these concerns. To inform policymakers and regional analysts, the paper identifies potential marj‘as from the region and steps that Gulf states must take so that their Shi’a citizens will shift their allegiance from foreign-based marj‘as to domestically based ones.
    [Show full text]
  • Which Future for Bahrain? Preliminary Report of a Fact-Finding Mission in Bahrain (23-28 October 2011)
    Human Rights Without Frontiers Int’l Avenue d’Auderghem 61/16, 1040 Brussels Phone/Fax: 32 2 3456145 Email: [email protected] – Website: http://www.hrwf.net Which Future For Bahrain? Preliminary report of a fact-finding mission in Bahrain (23-28 October 2011) Executive Summary Introduction Political and Legislative Developments (2001‐2011) Political Agenda of the Licensed Opposition Groups Chronology of Protests, Demonstrations, Arrests & Condemnations in 2011 Polarization and Conflicting Reports Bahrain’s Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) National Dialogue EU & International Pressure Conclusions and Recommendations Annexes 9 NOVEMBER 2011 Executive Summary On 14 February 2011, on the 10th anniversary of the National Action Charter, the Bahrain Youth for Freedom group called for demonstrations to demand economic reform (better job opportunities and better housing), more political freedom, institutional reforms and the introduction of a constitutional monarchy. Thousands of people took to the streets of Manama. Until mid-March, the Pearl Roundabout became the heart of Bahrain’s opposition protests. Most of the protests were initially peaceful but in the passing days, the rhetoric and actions of some opposition groups and protesters grew more radical and violent: there were calls for a regime change and the removal of the royal family from power. Law enforcement forces tried to restore public order and clashed with the demonstrators. Between February and March, 30-40 people died under various circumstances. Some were killed by the police; others died in custody; policemen and migrant workers were killed by demonstrators; many people were arrested, including doctors, medical workers, teachers and human rights activists.
    [Show full text]
  • Highlights on Crackdown on Human Rights in Bahrain- 2017
    PREFACE 2017 witnessed a rough escalation in the Bahraini authorities’ wave of violence against the peaceful opposition and innocent Bahrainis. Throughout the harsh courts’ sentences and the human rights violations, Bahrain announced publicly “No one can protect the Bahrainis”. National and international human rights organisations expressed their concerns over the “alarming deterioration” in human rights situation in Bahrain as it significantly worsened since mid-2016. EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLING The Bahraini authorities welcomed 2017 by unlawfully executing 3 men who were convicted without evidences, sentenced to death following unfair trials, and subjected to various kinds of torture. 12 other Bahrainis were victims of extrajudicial killing, most of which were targets of live gunshots. Moreover, 14 Bahrainis were sentenced to death in politically motivated cases; 6 of them were referred before military courts. While life sentences were issued almost on a daily basis. MILITARY COURTS TRY CIVILIANS In April 2017, King Hamad Bin Isa issued a royal decree approving amendments to the military judicial system allowing military courts to try civilians. Committee against Torture (CAT) of the HRC’s Office of High Commission for Human Rights and other international human rights organisations expressed their concerns over the rights of prisoners and detainees to fair trial. GULF INSTITUTE FOR DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS 2 TRIAL OF SHEIKH ALI SALMAN Sheikh Ali Salman, who is already serving a nine-year prison statement for allegedly inciting hatred and insulting the interior ministry, was charged, along with former MPs Sheikh Hassan Sultan and Ali Al Aswad, of colluding with spying for “Qatar” over 6-year-old phone calls.
    [Show full text]
  • Bahrain Tier 2
    BAHRAIN TIER 2 KEY FINDINGS In 2017, the Bahraini government made a concerted effort to pro- Shi’a clerics access to specific mosques and banned others from mote religious freedom, interfaith understanding, and peaceful conducting Friday prayers, sermons, and other religious services. coexistence, including by King Hamad bin Al Khalifa issuing the Discrimination against Shi’a Muslims in government employment Kingdom of Bahrain Declaration and announcing the establish- and some public and social services continued. Also, during the ment of the King Hamad Global Centre for Inter-Faith Dialogue reporting period, Iranian government support for subversive and Peaceful Co-Existence. In addition, non-Muslim religious activity by Shi’a militant groups in Bahrain increased. In 2017, communities continued to be able to freely practice their faith, the government made some progress in redressing past abuses both publicly and privately. Nevertheless, religious freedom against Shi’a Muslims but backtracked on other recommenda- conditions did not improve for the majority Shi’a Muslim com- tions it had made progress on from the 2011 report of the Bahrain munity amid an ongoing stifling of dissent and a deterioration of Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI). As a consequence human rights conditions generally. While Shi’a religious leaders of developments in 2017, in 2018 USCIRF—for the second year were not targeted in 2017 as they had been during the summer in a row—places Bahrain on its Tier 2 for engaging in or toler- of 2016, a significant crackdown in May 2017 resulted in the ating religious freedom violations that meet at least one of the deaths of five Shi’a Muslim demonstrators, injuries to dozens, elements of the “systematic, ongoing, egregious” standard for and the arrests and detentions of civilians and religious leaders.
    [Show full text]
  • Bahrain Deports Eight to Iraq After Stripping Them of Citizenship - Rights Group by the Region - 05/02/2018 11:25
    www.theregion.org Bahrain deports eight to Iraq after stripping them of citizenship - rights group by The Region - 05/02/2018 11:25 Bahrain has deported eight people to Iraq after they were convicted of damaging state security and stripped of citizenship, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Sunday. Last week's deportations are seen by local activists as part of a crackdown on people the government considers a threat to the stability of the Western-allied Gulf Arab state, where the U.S. Fifth Fleet is based. Bahrain was rocked by protests during the Arab Spring in 2011, mainly by members of the country's Shi'ite Muslim majority who demanded a bigger share in running the kingdom, whose leaders are Sunni Muslim. The eight were deported after an appeals court upheld a 2012 lower court ruling that stripped nine people of citizenship and ordered them deported, the rights group said. Two brothers were deported on Jan. 29 and two others were deported the following day. A man, his wife and his two brothers were deported on Feb. 1, the group said. The ninth person was abroad when the sentence was passed. Bahraini officials did not respond to a request for comment. A total of 578 people have been stripped of citizenship since the kingdom began using the punishment against people convicted of security offences, the rights group said. A Bahraini court stripped a total of 72 people of citizenship in two separate cases on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 after they were convicted on terrorism charges. "Bahraini authorities have dropped all pretence of pluralism and tolerance for dissent and are clearly stripping away the citizenships of people whom they find undesirable," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director at HRW.
    [Show full text]
  • Bahrain 2016 Human Rights Report
    BAHRAIN 2016 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy. King Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa, the head of state, appoints the cabinet, consisting of 26 ministers; 12 of those ministers were members of the al-Khalifa ruling family. Parliament consists of an appointed upper house, the Shura (Consultative) Council, and the elected Council of Representatives, each with 40 seats. Approximately 52 percent of eligible voters participated in parliamentary elections held in 2014. Turnout was significantly lower in opposition districts, due in part to a decision to boycott the elections by the main opposition political societies and a lack of confidence among opposition communities in the electoral system. The government did not permit international election monitors. Domestic monitors generally concluded the authorities administered the elections without significant procedural irregularities. There were, however, broader concerns regarding voting-district boundaries. Civilian authorities maintained effective control over the security forces. The most serious human rights problems included limitations on citizens’ ability to choose their government peacefully, including due to the government’s ability to close arbitrarily or create registration difficulties for organized political societies; restrictions on free expression, assembly, and association; and lack of due process in the legal system, including arrests without warrants or charges and lengthy pretrial detentions--used especially in cases against opposition members
    [Show full text]