Political, rights, and civil society activists launched a campaign under the slogan “Kingdom of Demolished Mosques”. The campaign marks the 3rd anniversary of the demolition of 38 mosques in Bahrain, by the regime, during the state of emergency, between March and April 2011. The campaign was launched on the same day of the demolition of Al-Barbaghi Mosque which is more than 450 years old. The regime still insists on keeping it in ruins, and is attempting to relocate the historic mosque.
Al-Mousawi: Violators must be held accountable
The Head of Liberties and Human Rights Department at Al Wefaq Society spoke at the event, he said, “38 mosques were demolished during March and April 2011. The Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (BICI) report stated that 30 mosques were demolished, but they did not deny the demolition of other mosques. Their conclusion came due to the lack of time to examine the sights of the other mosques. Despite that, and until this time, the regime rebuilt only 4 mosques out of the 30 that were mentioned in the report. On the other hand, people were able to rebuild 8 demolished mosques before the regime even started to rebuild any
“The regime is attempting to relocate the demolished mosques, and this is a very serious matter
“The biggest problem, which I think the authorities should take into attention, is to hold those responsible to account. Since that time and since the world witnessed this crime, violations against religious sites have not stopped until this day.”
Al-Salman: To date, violations against mosques continue
The Head of Religious Freedoms in the Bahrain Observatory for Human Rights, Shaikh Maitham Al-Salman said, “It has been 3 years now since around 5% of the mosques registered in Aljafriya Endowments were demolished, and until now, all kinds of violations against mosques and worship places are being committed.
Attacking Al-Sadeq, and Al-Baqer Mosques with direct fire arms, and demolishing the historical Al-Barbaghi mosque are maybe considered the most serious cases of violations against worship places. This is on top of the harassment that citizens are subjected to whilst exercising their right to religious rituals. The regime has been placing tons of sand, checkpoints, and deploying police forces to prevent citizens from reaching mosque sites for prayer, and arresting them for trying.
“We are sorry to hear now that Raas Ruman Prayer hall, which goes back to decades, has been attacked. This act clearly shows that violations against worship places are ongoing.
“We demanded steps to be taken in regard of the demolished mosques:
First: the rebuilding of mosques in accordance with the announced time.
Second: to hold those involved in the demolition of the mosques accountable
Third: an official apology to the people who were insulted by the demolishing of their worship places”.
Al-Salman pointed out that a number of events and activities will be launched throughout the week, and we see that it is of great importance to engage in these activities regardless to the political and religious differences.
“What we are aiming for, is the presence of a political and humanitarian State, were an entire component of the people cannot be attacked or subjected to planned contempt for their religion. Not only at the legislative level, but on a practical level.” He added, “When we talk about religious freedom, it does not mean that we become complacent with religious freedom of other religions and popular components, but what we want, is to reach a modernized and civilized state, as stipulated in international covenants”.
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Source: Alwefaq