Bahrain steps up crackdown on Muharram mourning rituals

Bahraini regime forces have stepped up their crackdown on Muharram mourning rituals, disrupting Shia Muslim gatherings and making arrests among clerics. 

Bahraini regime forces have stepped up their crackdown on Muharram mourning rituals, disrupting Shia Muslim gatherings and making arrests among clerics. 

On Tuesday, three Shia clerics were arrested for what the kingdom’s Public Prosecutor’s Office called promoting hatred of the ruling regime and encouraging “acts of terrorism,” Bahrain Mirror news website reported.

The detainees were identified as Sheikh Yassin al-Harami, Sheikh Hani al-Bana’, and Sheikh Mohammad al-Sahlawi.

Manama’s forces also attacked residential areas and houses in more than 10 areas in the capital, Manama, destroying the banners and signs inviting the public to mourning rituals on Thursday.

Shia Muslims worldwide are set to commemorate Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram, which coincides with the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein, peace be upon him, the third Shia Imam.