Bahrainis’ Popular Uprising to Continue: Top Cleric
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Senior Bahraini cleric Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim said the people of the country will continue their uprising until their demamds are met.
Delivering a televised speech broadcast live from the north-central Iranian city of Qom on Sunday evening, Sheikh Qassim called for the establishment of a democratic and constitutional system to replace the ruling Al Khalifa dynasty in the Persian Gulf country.
“The Bahraini nation’s demands are of paramount importance. Bahrainis will carry on with their popular uprising until their demands are fully accommodated,” he said.
The senior cleric asked people from all strata of Bahrain’s society to demonstrate perseverance and remain steadfast and united in their struggle against the unjust and arbitrary measures of the Al Khalifa regime.
“Faithful peoples will exercise patience in their struggle against oppression. Nobody could emerge triumphant by sitting idly by. Victory can only be achieved through unity and solidarity,” the senior Bahraini cleric stated.
Sheikh Qassim also urged Bahraini people to preserve unity as they fight the oppressive political system in the country and tread the path towards democracy.
“There is no solution to the ongoing political crisis in Bahrain in the absence of a democratic constitution. The ruling (Al Khalifa) regime’s insistence on the policy of injustice will only open up rifts and create deep social divisions. Bahrain must be set free from the shackles of oppression.”
Sheikh Qassim also said drawing up a new constitution is the only way out of the political crisis in Bahrain. He pointed to the need for the replacement of the Al Khalifa monarchical regime with a democratic rule.
Bahraini opposition groups have called for mass participation in rallies marking the eleventh anniversary of the February 14 uprising.
Demonstrations have been held in Bahrain on a regular basis ever since a popular uprising began in mid-February 2011.
The participants demand that the Al Khalifa regime relinquish power and allow a just system representing all Bahrainis to be established.
Manama, however, has gone to great lengths to clamp down on any sign of dissent.
On March 5, 2017, Bahrain’s parliament approved the trial of civilians at military tribunals in a measure censured by human rights campaigners as being tantamount to the imposition of an undeclared martial law countrywide.
King Hamad ratified the constitutional amendment on April 3, 2017.