Manama, April 03: Manama’s Friday Prayers leader has condemned the crackdown on opposition protests, warning the government that its actions will only create hostility.
“When the government adopts the policy of terrorism and violence against its own people, it will create hostility,” Sheikh Isa Qasim said to worshippers during his sermon on Friday.
“This enmity is neither in the interest of the nation nor the government,” he continued. “This will erode the sense of security and threaten it across the country.”
“Now the country is in an extreme state of emergency. This will get matters further out of control and cause more complications,” he added.
The Bahraini police, backed by Saudi Arabian troops, have intensified the clampdown on opposition protesters who demand a constitutional monarchy.
Rights groups and opposition parties say hundreds of people have been detained or have gone missing since the protests began in mid February, with at least 25 people killed and 1,000 others wounded so far.
The education ministry has formed a committee tasked with taking action against teachers and school officials who attend anti-government protests. Reports say some employees have been summoned for questioning.
Bahraini demonstrators maintain that they will continue with their protests until their demands are met for a new constitution that would limit the king’s powers. They are also calling for Prime Minister Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa to step down.
——–Agencies