Youths, Women Arrested in Bahrain for Protesting Desecration of Religious Signs

Speaking to the Tasnim News Agency, Jalal Fairooz said during this year’s mourning ceremonies held in Bahrain to commemorate the martyrdom of the third Shiite Imam, Imam Hussein (AS), the Manama regime has taken much more restrictive measures against the religious rites, compared to previous years.

He further said the security forces pull down flags and signs related to the mourning ceremonies, which have nothing to do with political issues.

The former MP said that since the beginning of the lunar month of Muharram, several people, including two women have been arrested for voicing their protest against security forces’ move to pull down the religious flags.

Despite tough security measures taken by the Al Khalifa regime, the Bahraini people, who are mostly Shiite Muslims, attend mourning ceremonies during the lunar month of Muharram each year.  

Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram, marks the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

For Shiite Muslims, Ashura symbolizes the eternal struggle of the truth against injustice.

Bahrain, a close ally of the US in the Persian Gulf region, has been witnessing almost daily protests against the ruling Al Khalifa dynasty since early 2011, with Manama using heavy-handed measures in an attempt to crush the demonstrations.

Scores of Bahrainis have been killed and hundreds of others injured and arrested in the ongoing crackdown on the peaceful demonstrations.