Bahraini court convicted Shias’ spiritual leader as Trump met King Hamad
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YemenExtra
M.A.
Bahraini regime has issued an unjust referee against prominent Islamic scholar Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim on the day the regime’s King Al Khalifa was meeting US President Donald Trump in Riyadh.
On Sunday, a Bahraini court sentenced, Sheikh Qassim, spiritual leader of the country’s Shia Muslims majority, to one year in jail suspended for three years. The court also ruled to confiscate properties possessed by Ayatollah Qassim worth 3 million Bahraini dinars (almost $8 million) as well as two of his homes.
Moreover, the court ordered Ayatollah Qassim, who is in his mid-70s, to pay 100,000 Bahraini dinars ($265,266) in fines over the charges.
In reaction to the repressive judgement, Bahrain’s senior Islamic scholars have stated that the trial and conviction of Sheikh Qassim, represented a major shock. They believed it also represents “the persecution of the Shia Islam and its beliefs”, while warning that the verdict which disenfranchises Shias will have sullen reflects.
In a statement, the senior Islamic scholars noted that “Ayatollah Qassim has a special place in the public’s sentiment”, affirming that violating the belief in Khums is considered an egregious violation of the Shia teachings.
Shia Muslims have been denied the right of having Members of Parliament, their media outlets have been blocked while their main political party, al-Wefaq National Islamic Society has been banned.
Most of the leaders of al-Wefaq have witnessed their citizenship repealed or jailed, including its spiritual leader Sheikh Qassim, and its secretary general Sheikh Ali Salman.
The Bahraini regime was expected to issue a harsher verdict against Ayatollah Qassim but could not dare execute, applying such a move is not possible as it remains in fear of far reaching repercussions. Masses in Bahrain have displayed the ability for coherence in their resistance against the Saudi-backed Al Khalifa regime.
As Saudi Arabia supports suppression of resistance and the will of people in Bahrain, it is also currently attacking Yemen and entering its third year of military intervention, aiming at forcing down the known resistance or revolution dubbed “Ansar Allah.”
