Bahraini Scholars: We fully support the call of Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qasim

Bahraini scholars, in a statement expressing grave concern over the escalation of pressure against the country's Shia community, declared their full support for the call of Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Ahmed Qasim, and considered the arrest and trial of scholars and religious figures as an open assault on the religious identity of Bahrain's Shiites. The statement reads:

Whenever oppression spreads, truth is insulted, and scholars are targeted in their dignity and freedom, silence is no longer permissible for those who bear the trust of knowledge and religion; rather, speaking becomes a duty and taking a stance becomes an obligation that tolerates neither flattery nor delay.

The Bahraini scholars, referring to the current situation in the country, stated that they are following developments concerning Bahrain's Shiites with grieving hearts and vigilant eyes – developments that, according to them, indicate a serious threat to the existence of this faith.

In this statement, the escalation of rights violations, increased pressure on scholars, preachers, and religious figures, the arrest of a number of prominent scholars and committed youth, open confrontation with religious rituals, and the confiscation of Ja'fari endowments were mentioned as the most important examples of this alarming trend.

The Bahraini scholars further declared their full and sincere support for the call of Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Ahmed Qasim, and emphasized that with sincerity and trustworthiness, he has expressed the bitter reality of the conditions of Bahrain's Shiites and provided an accurate assessment of the dimensions of the existing danger.

Another part of the statement reads that the political and citizenship rights of Bahrain's Shiites are "inherent and intrinsic" rights – they should not be begged for, nor should their granting be seen as a favor or benevolence; rather, these rights are a religious and legal right that cannot be traded, overlooked, or delayed.

The Bahraini scholars also, in the strongest terms, condemned the prosecution, arrest, and trial of scholars, preachers, and religious figures, and emphasized that these actions are not merely directed at a few religious personalities, but are a direct assault on the identity of a deeply rooted faith and its scientific mission – a mission that has always been associated with knowledge, guidance, and service to the Islamic Ummah.

The statement further called on awakened consciences and free people of the world not to remain silent in the face of this process, and requested all nations and governments that consider themselves responsible to truth to take a clear stance to stop this process and confront oppression.

The Bahraini scholars emphasized: "Silence in the face of the oppressor is complicity in his oppression."

In conclusion, the Bahraini scholars, renewing their covenant with Almighty God and the Ahl al-Bayt (AS), emphasized their continued support for the oppressed and defense of their rights, and asked Almighty God to free the captives and detainees, restore truth to its rightful place, and grant honor to Islam and Muslims.