PHOTOS: Largest Shiite Friday Prayers Halted for Fourth Consecutive Week

2016-08-12 - 9:07 p

Bahrain Mirror: The largest Shia Friday prayers ritual was halted today for the fourth consecutive week, after authorities denied Sheikh Mohammad Sanqour entry to Diraz.

Citizens set up individual prayers, and then launched a procession from Imam al-Sadiq mosque in Diraz, which roamed the streets of the town, and condemned the continued crackdown on Shiites in performing their Friday rituals.

The authorities intensified its crackdown on the worshipers in Diraz, as it prevented senior Shiite cleric, Sayyed Abdullah al-Ghuraifi from entering the town of Diraz to perform the prayers.

In the town of al-Dair, Friday prayers were put on hold, since the al-Khaif Mosque's Imam Sheikh Isa Moamen was arrested. He was referred to court over charges of "inciting hatred against the regime in his Friday sermon last week."

The Shiite Majority in the country complain about the discrimination practiced against them by the ruling Al Khalifa regime, who belong to the Sunni minority. Human rights activists say that this discrimination includes the sectors of education, scholarships, health, and employment. It also prevents Shiite citizens from working in the military and police forces.