Manama: Bahrain has strongly condemned the 'provocative statements' made by the spokeswoman of the Iranian foreign affairs ministry.
In a statement issued by the foreign ministry on Monday evening, Bahrain said that it categorically rejected any form of interference in its internal affairs and that it decried all false, baseless and lacking credibility accusations against the kingdom.
“Bahrain has since olden times provided full freedom to all religious sects, both Muslims and non-Muslims, to exercise their rituals easily and without interference from anyone,” the ministry said. “The state had enacted laws and legislations to regulate and protect this freedom of religion practice, turning the kingdom, under the leadership of King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa into the most prominent model in the region regarding freedom of expression and opinion, religious tolerance and communal co-existence between all segments of the society under an advanced constitution and laws that guarantee freedom and equality among all and achieve security for all,” the ministry said.
On Monday, Marzieh Afkham, the foreign affairs spokeswoman, said that “Bahraini forces targeted mourners in several villages and removed all banners, flags and black cloths commemorating the Ashura anniversary.”
Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hussain Amir Abdollahian in a separate statement “denounced sectarian behaviour toward religious rituals in Bahrain.”
However, Bahrain said that “the statements were ridiculous” and that “they were part of Iran’s attempts to escape from its internal problems and to divert attention from the crises resulting from its domestic and foreign policies.”
“We call upon Iran to respect the principles of good neighbourliness and the sovereignty of countries and to put an end to irresponsible statements that do not in any way contribute to developing and improving relations between the two Muslim neighbours.”
In a separate statement, the Deputy Chief of Public Security said that the Interior Ministry respected all religious occasions and that it was keen on providing full security services during the holidays, stressing that those occasions should be marked without violence or disorder.
Responding to reports that Ashura celebrations had been targeted and that the police had removed black banners and signs, he said that prior to the start of Ashura, it was agreed that the banners and flags could be displayed in designated areas.
As per the agreement, banners or flags displayed outside the designated areas were taken away, he said.
The police also removed signs with slogans and photos unsuitable for Ashura, he added.
In his statement, the Deputy Chief said that the ministry had engaged in more logistical meetings with Ashura procession organisers than in previous years to ensure that all religious events were safe and secure and that traffic could move without obstruction.
Shiites commemorate Ashura, the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the lunar calendar, to mark the death of Husain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad, in Karbala in the seventh century.
Shiites in Bahrain celebrate Ashura by holding processions in Shiite villages, some towns and in central Manama.
