Bahrain Mirror- Exclusive: Security authorities in Bahrain prevented the country's Shiite majority from holding their largest Friday prayers for the 71th consecutive week, through the continued siege imposed on Diraz village.

Eyewitnesses said that the authorities intensified their security presence on Friday (November 24, 2017) at surrounding of Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque, where the largest Friday prayer was used to be held. Photos circulated by activists showed an armored vehicle near the mosque.

Since June 2016, security authorities have banned Shia from performing their largest Friday prayers, revoked the citizenship of the spiritual leader of Shia majority Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim and prosecuted him over exercising the Shia's obligatory Khums (alms) ritual.

Sheikh Isa Qassim has been under house arrest since May 23, 2017, after the authorities forcibly dispersed a peaceful sit-in outside his house that was stage in protest against his targeting.

Arabic Version