Following Manama’ s vicious attack against sheikh Issa Qassim, Bahrain’s most revered Shia cleric, al-Khoei Foundation reached out to both the United Nations, and the UNHCR – keen to underscore the gravity of the situation.
Following reports that al-Khalifa regime stripped Sheikh Issa Qassim of his nationality, on account the monarchy perceived his calls for democratic reforms, and social justice as an inherent threat to national security, much of the world community decried such blatant abuse of power.
In the face of such religious persecution against Shiite Muslims, world leaders, clerics, intellectuals, and politicians have come to condemn King Hamad; warning such an unprovoked attack against Bahrain religious sanctity would fan violence and hatred throughout.
It is amid such political uncertainty that al-Khoei Foundation reached out to officials, hoping that reason would prevail, and not nonsensical hatred.
following is a copy of the letter addressed to the UN, followed by al-Khoei Foundation’s correspondence to the UNHCR
His Excellency Mr Ban Ki Moon
United Nations Secretary General
UN Headquarters
First Avenue at 46th Street
New York, NY 10017
USA 21st June 2016.
His Excellency Mr Ban Ki Moon
United Nations Secretary General.
The AI-Khoei Foundation is deeply disturbed by the continued harassment of the Shia spiritual leader of Bahrain – Ayatollah Issa Qasim – by the Bahraini authorities, including the stripping of his nationality.
As you know, the Shia of Bahrain have always had an independent Shia religious authority with strong links to the holy city of Najaf in Iraq, which today is led by the Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani. Ayatollah Qasim, who was born and raised in Bahrain, is a man that has always urged protestors to be peaceful. We believe that Ayatollah Qasim’s influence in Bahrain contributes to a more peaceful atmosphere and the revoking of his citizenship will only do the opposite. This action by the Bahraini authorities is a blatant and unacceptable interference in the affairs of the Shia religious leadership in Bahrain.
We seek your urgent intervention to urge the Bahraini authorities to stop its repressive measures against its Shia citizens and immediately reinstate Ayatollah Qasim’s nationality and secure the freedom for Bahraini Shias to worship freely without interference from the Government.
Thank you.
Sayed Saheb AI Khoei
Secretary General Al Khoei Foundation
His Excellency Prince Zeid Ra’ad Zeid AI-Hussein,
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The AI-Khoei Foundation is deeply disturbed by the continued harassment of the Shia spiritual leader of Bahrain – Ayatollah Issa Qasim – by the Bahraini authorities, including the stripping of his nationality.
As you know, the Shia of Bahrain have always had an independent Shia religious authority with strong links to the holy city of Najaf in Iraq, which today is led by the Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani. Ayatollah Qasim, who was born and raised in Bahrain, is a man that has always urged protestors to be peaceful. We believe that Ayatollah Qasim’s influence in Bahrain contributes to a more peaceful atmosphere and the revoking of his citizenship will only do the opposite. This action by the Bahraini authorities is a blatant and unacceptable interference in the affairs of the Shia religious leadership in Bahrain.
We seek your urgent intervention to urge the Bahraini authorities to stop its repressive measures against its Shia citizens and immediately reinstate Ayatollah Qasim’s nationality and secure the freedom for Bahraini Shias to worship freely without interference from the Government.
Thank you.
Sayed Saheb AI Khoei
Secretary General
source : shafaqna
