Rallies in different countries in support of Ayatollah Qasim

The demonstrations are slated to be held in many capital cities across the world such as London, Berlin, Paris, and Beirut as well as the Bahraini capital of Manama.

Various political and religious groups in Bahrain have issued messages, calling on Muslims to participate in the global rallies and condemn the Manama regime’s moves against senior religious leaders, including Ayatollah Qasim.

Iranian people will also stage demonstrations in support of the Bahraini nation in various cities, including the holy cities of Mashhad and Qom.

The Al Khalifah regime announced on June 20 that the citizenship of Ayatollah Qasim has been revoked, accusing him of sowing sectarian divisions.

The regime later said it would put the senior cleric on trial on charges of “illegal fund collections, money laundering and helping terrorism.”

Ayatollah Qasim’s planned trial was adjourned until August 14 after the prominent figure did not appear in court on Wednesday.

A representative of Ayatollah Qasim had already announced that the top cleric would definitely refuse to attend the Wednesday hearing.

Bahrain, a close ally of the US in the Persian Gulf region, has been witnessing almost daily protests against the ruling Al Khalifah dynasty since early 2011, with Manama using heavy-handed measures in an attempt to crush the demonstrations.

Scores of Bahrainis have been killed and hundreds of others injured and arrested in the ongoing crackdown on the peaceful demonstrations.

Amnesty International and many other international rights organizations have frequently censured the Bahraini regime for the rampant human rights abuses against opposition groups and anti-regime protesters.

/SR