Bahrain Mirror (Exclusive): Despite the record-low temperature recorded in Bahrain (7 °C) at dawn on Friday (February 3, 2017), protesters continued their demonstration outside the house of religious leader, Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim.

Protesters defied the cold, sleeping in the streets and alleys surrounding the house of Sheikh Isa Qassim, whom the authorities are trying over supporting pro-democracy rallies, and managing the Shiite religious Khums ritual.

Today, Diraz saw mass demonstrations condemning the trial of Sheikh Qassim, and the authorities' prevention of the biggest Friday prayers for 6 months now.

Demonstrators raised photos for Sheikh Qassim and Mostafa Hamdan (18 years old), who was shot in his head when regime-affiliated forces attacked the sit-in site in Diraz (January 26, 2017). They also raised the pictures of the three martyrs (Ali Al-Singace, Abbas Al-Samie, and Sami Mushaima), who were executed by authorities January 15, 2017.

The Bahraini authorities had revoked the citizenship of Sheikh Isa Qassim last June, after which angry protesters started an open-ended sit-in outside his house. Protesters warn authorities from taking any further steps that might lead the country into a spiral of violence.

Arabic Version