Nationwide rallies erupts in Bahrain in support of Sheikh Qassim
People across Bahrain have held rallies in support of the country’s top Shia cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim, whose health has dramatically deteriorated in recent days, demanding the Al Khalifah regime to immediately and unconditionally lift a persisting siege on his house and allow the spiritual leader to receive urgent treatment.
Demonstrators took to the streets of the northwestern village of Diraz, where Sheikh Qassim lives, as well as other villages and towns across the tiny Persian Gulf island country, including Abu Sabih, Karzakan, Shahrakan, Daih and Buri, to voice their strong support of the prominent cleric on Monday evening. They also expressed their vigorous dissent against the siege imposed by Manama on his home village.
Marchers said Sheikh Qassim, who is in a virtual house arrest for more than a year, was their “red line” and that they would sacrifice their lives in supporting him.
Reports said that security forces of the Al Khalifah regime attacked demonstrators, who had gathered in al-Fida Square in Diraz, by hurling tear gas canisters in an attempt to disperse them. There have been no reports on possible casualties and arrests yet.
Following the release of reports about Sheikh Qassim’s failing health earlier in the day, Shia clerics across the island nation urged all people to demonstrate in support of the spiritual leader. Bahraini activists revealed that Sheikh Qassim was suffering from constant pain and excreting blood.
