Anger erupts in Bahrain over orders to obtain permits before visiting holy shrines

Bahraini clerics and human rights activists have strongly opposed what they describe as an unjust imposition on citizens to obtain official permits before traveling to visit holy shrines in Iraq, Syria, and Iran, deeming it an illegitimate and unlawful political maneuver.

The head of the Shia Scholars Council in Bahrain, Sayyed Majeed Al-Mesh’al, said on (X): “Senior scholars reject the requirement for citizens to obtain an official permit to visit holy shrines.”

The legal advisor of the Council also commented: “The unjust imposition on citizens to obtain security approval to travel to holy shrines is an illegal political action that violates the right to freedom of movement.”

Bahrain’s security authorities had summoned Sheikh Fadel al-Zaki, a member of the central committee and head of the legal committee of the Islamic Scholars Council, following his criticism of such governmental directives.

Last Saturday, Sheikh al-Zaki mentioned in a post on (X): “Visiting the Imams of Ahlulbayt, peace be upon them, is a religious ritual that does not require permission from anyone,” adding, “If the choice is between visiting with a permit or refraining for years, the latter is correct.”