The Al-Khalifa regime continues to escalate religious persecution violations in Bahrain through attacks on mosques and shrines of the Prophet’s companions, some of which have been forcibly closed.
Local sources have reported that the Bahraini authorities attacked the mosque and shrine of the companion “Sa’sa’ah ibn Suhan al-Abdi” in the village of Askar, which is over 1300 years old.
According to local sources, the authorities deliberately dismantled the main gate and closed the entrance to the mosque with bricks and cement.
Despite popular demands to reopen and rehabilitate the mosque, these actions were taken due to its special significance among a wide range of Muslims in Bahrain and beyond. The closure and prevention of citizens from visiting the mosque represent a blatant challenge to the feelings and beliefs of the people and reflect the extent of oppression and disdain for the citizens in their rituals and beliefs.
The companion Sa’sa’ah ibn Suhan mosque is considered one of the historical landmarks that illustrate Bahrain’s identity since the time of the Prophet and his followers.
The Al-Khalifa regime seeks to obliterate the mosque through various means, following a retaliatory security and military campaign against Shia mosques in the country, supported by Saudi military forces in mid-March 2011.
The mosque was vandalized and destroyed on Saturday, March 17, 2012, and some of its belongings, including air conditioners and aluminium windows, were stolen.
It was also attacked and vandalized in March 2011 and 2003 and 2007, when a group uprooted the mosque’s doors and threw stones at it, preventing citizens from performing prayers there.
Last month, the Bahraini authorities forcibly closed the shrine of the esteemed companion “Sa’sa’ah ibn Suhan al-Abdi,” located in the south of Bahrain and over 1300 years old, and prevented citizens from visiting it.
The opposition Islamic National Accord Association stated in a statement that the Bahraini authorities hide behind slogans of coexistence and tolerance, paying millions to buy favors and positions from relevant organizations and institutions to praise the Bahraini regime as believing in coexistence and tolerance. This is done to cover up the violations, persecution, and suppression of religious freedoms.
The association called for reopening the companion Sa’sa’ah ibn Suhan al-Abdi shrine due to its special status among a wide range of Muslims in Bahrain and beyond. The closure and prevention of citizens from visiting it represent a blatant challenge to the feelings and beliefs of the people and reflect the extent of oppression and disdain for the citizens in their rituals and beliefs.
The Peace Organization for Democracy and Human Rights called on the Bahraini government to uphold its commitments regarding religious freedoms, protect and respect international covenants, and rebuild the destroyed mosques in their historical and original locations.
In its statement on the 12th anniversary of the demolition of mosques in Bahrain, the organization stated that from March to May 2011, the Bahraini authorities demolished more than 38 mosques belonging to the Shia community.
It mentioned that despite the recommendation of the Committee of Inquiry into the Suppression of the Popular Revolution to address this issue and rebuild the demolished mosques at the state’s expense, the Bahraini government admitted its involvement in this crime and allowed the reconstruction of 13 mosques until 2016. However, seven mosques were built by the locals, and they have not been compensated to this day, nor have seven others been built yet.
