Bahrain Mirror: Bahrain's main opposition group Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society said that Shiite Obsequies (Hussainiyahs) in Bahrain's Al-Hamla and Damestan areas were targeted by gunfire on Friday (October 16, 2015) on the occasion of Ashura, during which Muslims commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (pbuh).

In its statement, Al-Wefaq stressed that this "terrorist attack is very serious and reflects the presence of terrorist groups blatantly armed in Bahrain, which requires clear and transparent action to be taken by security authorities to assure the citizens that they are safe especially that this coincides with a shooting that took place in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, which left 5 Saudis dead and others injured."

Al-Wefaq further stated that such terrorist acts "call for a national stance and response to protect all Bahraini citizens from these terrorist acts and protect holies and places where religious occasions are commemorated, including Hussainiyahs which hundreds of thousands of citizens attend."

"Hate speeches and sectarian discourse that is being delivered by some official figures and figures close to the authorities in addition to the absence of accountability, chaos of weapons and exploitation of power are what led the situation to this," it added.

Al-Wefaq then concluded its statement by saying that "security for all is a popular strategic demand and fulfilling this will restore Bahrain's stability and security instead of allowing such incidents from reoccurring."

Arabic Issue