Bahrain Mirror: Sayed Abdullah Al-Ghuraifi, a prominent Bahraini Shiite cleric, called on the authorities in the country to release all preachers, eulogy reciters and obsequies organizers.

"I sincerely hope that the preachers, eulogy reciters and some organizers of obsequies and processions will be freed. I do not think that any of them intends to make matters worse for this country, its figures and its unity," he said in an interview Friday (September 27, 2018). "This is what I'm certain of with regards to everyone concerned with Ashura rites."

"We address the authorities, with all the love and appreciation and grateful for their efforts in preserving security during this season, asking them not to bear the Ashura season, its sponsors, scholars, preachers, audience and areas, responsible for any practice beyond the objectives of this season," Al-Ghuraifi added.

He also said: "We have repeatedly affirmed, and we still emphasize that Ashura ceremonies should be excluded from any disputes, security tensions and political issues whatever their source," noting that "it is true that the Ashura season calls for reform, growth and changing of bad conditions, yet this call is required to be wise, rational, and far from harmful and stressful tensions".

Al-Ghuraifi went on to say that "It is true that we are not against the demand for legitimate rights, but by peaceful means, through serious, honest and purposeful dialogues." He further stressed on the need to "not involve the Ashura season in the security and political issues, so as not to slip into ways harmful to its major objectives, and not to be a source of concern for this homeland, its symbols, and all components, sects, and denominations."

Arabic Version