AhlulBayt News Agency - Thousands of Shiite worshipers in Bahrain's Diraz took part in a march following Friday prayers at the Imam Sadiq Mosque, one of the largest Shiite mosques in Bahrain, on (February 26, 2016) during which they chanted different slogans demanding putting an end to the sectarian discrimination practiced against them.
Protestors chanted anti-government slogans, calling for democratic transition and the immediate release of prisoners, especially political figures.
This demonstration was held after the authorities summoned three prominent Shiite clerics last week, including the Imam of Imam Sadiq Mosque in Diraz, Sheikh Mohammad Sanqour.
The authorities also expelled last week a prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh, who was stripped of his citizenship, Mohammad Khojasteh, from the country and another Shiite who was stripped of his nationality as well, Hussein Khayrallah.
Bahraini clerics called for holding a central prayer in Diraz today on Friday (February 26, 2016). Eyewitnesses estimated that the mosque was attended by thousands of Bahrainis, whom the mosque could not accommodate, and thus many joined the prayer outside the mosque.
Thereafter, the Ministry of Interior closed the entrances of Diraz and prevented Shiite worshipers from entering to take part in the central prayer. Al-Wefaq, for its part, condemned this act.
