(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Addressing worshipers in the village of Diraz on Friday, Sheik Isa Qassim also accused the government of trying to sow the seeds of discord among the people.
The influential cleric also said that Bahrainis are demanding real political reforms and merely "cosmetic reforms" would not end anti-government protests in the country.
"The people did not mobilize in order to receive cosmetic reforms," he said.
He also called for the immediate release of political prisoners and the suspension of trials of anti-government protesters ahead of the start of the national dialogue set for July ۱.
"We demand meaningful and real reforms that guarantee the rights of people,'' said Sheik Qassim adding that "there is no reform when our people are in jail, dismissed from jobs, religious ceremonies attacked and media sponsored by the state are spreading lies and misinformation.''
Sheik Isa Qassim also urged Bahrainis to continue their protest campaign until their demands are met.
"We have offered so many sacrifices and cannot back down and end up empty handed. The reactions of the security forces result in damaging the country, but the people are patient and peaceful,'' he said.
His remarks are the latest sign that opposition leaders could ignore appeals by Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa for talks next month.
Sheik Isa Qassim's remarks also came ahead of a planned demonstration organized by the country's largest opposition group, al-Wefaq, to protest against the detention of hundreds of anti-government protesters and the dismissal of students and workers for supporting the opposition.
Large numbers of Bahrainis are expected to attend the rally in Sitra after the Friday Prayers.
Thousands of anti-government protesters have been staging demonstrations in Bahrain since mid-February, demanding political reforms and a constitutional monarchy, a demand that later changed to an outright call for the ouster of the ruling Al Khalifa family following its brutal crackdown on popular protests.
Scores of people have also been killed and many others injured in the Saudi-backed crackdown on peaceful protesters in Bahrain.
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