AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): Under hashtag Advocate_for_Palestine on the "X" platform, and on the ninth anniversary of his arrest, Bahraini figures from several sectors demanded the release of the detained Secretary-General of Al-Wefaq, Sheikh Ali Salman, and an end to the file of prisoners of conscience.
Leader of Wa'ad society, Yousef Al-Khaja, dubbed Sheikh Salman a "man of peace and reform", recalling that "whenever the security men provoked the participants in protests, he asked them [participants] to remain calm and whenever they raised angry slogans, he expressed his annoyance. He handles things calmly and wisely."
"Today, Sheikh Salman completes 9 years behind bars for his peaceful struggle for a homeland where freedom and justice prevail. His crime is that he called for reform for a homeland which is in need of reform," he added.
He wondered "How can there be a reform project when reformers are absent in prisons? Have we not yet overcome the stage of revenge and healing by taking steps for a more beautiful homeland?"
Lawyer Rima Shaalan stressed that Sheikh Salman "was definitely not guilty when he took various peaceful political means so that security and peace prevail in the homeland and aspirations of people for a decent life are met." She addressed the Bahrainis by saying: "Open your minds and hearts to the loyal men of the homeland until it recovers from its crisis."
Yousef Rabie, a member of Al-Wefaq, warned that "nine years have passed and Sheikh Salman is still besieging his jailer, while the biggest loser is Bahrain due to the absence of this national figure."
For his part, the former head of the municipal council of Manama, activist Mortada Badr, stated: "At this fateful stage of the conflict with the Zionist enemy, we are in a bad need of such a national symbol and an advocate of Palestine."
Sayed Hachem Al-Mousawi, former assistant Secretary-General of the General Federation of Bahrain Trade Union stressed that "Sheikh Salman will remain one of the symbols of this homeland with whom the cause of Palestine lives and who carries its concern."
For his part, activist Hassan Al-Shareqi said that "on this day, Bahrain entered a dark phase in the political situation, as moderation killed extremism, and power and oppression prevailed and reason and rationality became absent."
Sayed Taher Al-Mousawi, a member of the General Secretariat of Al-Wefaq, praised Sheikh Salman, considering that "he constitutes a model in the political reality in our country, Bahrain. He is a man with a sober and mature vision for building the state. His hands are clean; his tongue and his words are sincere and courageous."
"Sheikh Salman does not hesitate to speak the truth and victory for justice, defend the oppressed, take care of the rights of the poor, the destitute and the disadvantaged, and confront the torturers, murderers and corruptors, and he is one of the strongest defenders of Palestine," he further stated.
"Sheikh Salman's case alone is enough to understand the magnitude of the deep-rooted and protracted crisis in Bahrain."
For his part, Al-Wefaq leader, Sayed Ahmed Al-Alawi, said: "Palestine was present in the conscience and mind of Sheikh Salman. It was the first Islamic issue for him and was present in his speeches, meetings and dialogues in the homeland, exile and detention."
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