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        <title>Islam Times - Latest News Bahrain :: Full Edition</title>
        <description><![CDATA[Produced by: Islam Times]]></description>
        <link>https://www.islamtimes.com/en/Asia/bahrain</link>
        <lastBuildDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 10:23:15 GMT</lastBuildDate>
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            <title>Islam Times - Latest News Bahrain :: Full Edition</title>
            <link>https://www.islamtimes.com/en/Asia/bahrain</link>
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            <description><![CDATA[Produced by: Islam Times]]></description>
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        <copyright>Copyright (c) Islam Times, all rights reserved.</copyright>
        <pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 10:23:15 GMT</pubDate>
        <category>Bahrain</category>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
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        <item>
            <title>The Campaign Against Bahrain’s Shi'a Is an Extension of the Project to Politically Reshape the Region</title>
            <link>https://www.islamtimes.com/en/interview/1297108/the-campaign-against-bahrain-s-shi-a-is-an-extension-of-the-project-to-politically-reshape-region</link>
            <description><![CDATA[In an interview with Islam Times, Al-Fayez stated that the campaign against the Shi&#39;a in Bahrain cannot be separated from its long historical context. Referring to the deep-rooted origins of this trajectory, he noted that its various dimensions became more visible in the mid-2000s, particularly following the disclosure of the Bandar Report, which sparked widespread controversy over the nature of the government&#39;s management of the country&#39;s internal balance of power and its mechanisms for dealing with political and social forces.
The Bahraini analyst believes that this period marked a turning point in the management of domestic affairs. It was during this time, he said, that the gradual engineering of relations between the state and society began through political, security, and administrative instruments. The objective of this process was to control the public sphere and redefine the rules of political participation in line with the government&#39;s vision, rather than on the basis of equal national partnership.
He added that these policies were not confined merely to reorganizing the political arena; they also extended into the country&#39;s social, religious, and cultural structures. According to him, this approach narrowed the space for pluralism within Bahraini society and significantly reduced the ability of various political and religious groups to express their views freely and participate effectively in public life.
Al-Fayez noted that the developments following 2011 represented a far more severe phase of this trajectory. During this period, Bahrain witnessed a marked escalation in security and judicial measures, alongside the increasing use of instruments such as citizenship revocation, politically motivated prosecutions, and the widespread detention of religious and social figures. These measures were accompanied by growing restrictions on the public sphere.
According to him, such measures can no longer be regarded as exceptional or temporary. Rather, they have become an integral part of the country&#39;s political governance structure. He argued that the purpose of this framework is to redesign the public sphere and establish a form of political and social deterrence that ultimately reduces public participation and suppresses dissenting and critical voices.
In his analysis, Al-Fayez stressed that the developments in Bahrain cannot be understood in isolation from the broader regional transformations. The Middle East is currently undergoing major political changes involving the realignment of regional and international alliances, as well as shifts in the priorities of major powers&mdash;developments whose impact is clearly reflected in the domestic policies of a number of countries, including Bahrain. He emphasized that these transformations have created a more restrictive political environment for opposition groups while increasing sensitivities surrounding issues related to identity and political and religious affiliations. This, in turn, has resulted in stricter domestic measures and heightened levels of surveillance and repression in certain areas.
The Bahraini political activist further argued that what is unfolding today has gone beyond traditional security measures and has evolved into an attempt to influence the political and intellectual structure of the individual. According to him, the authorities seek to reshape public consciousness by diverting citizens&#39; attention away from major political issues and preoccupying them with everyday economic concerns, thereby gradually eroding their capacity for political and social engagement.
He also noted that these policies are accompanied by a particular political and media discourse. The purpose of this discourse, he explained, is to redefine the concepts of national belonging and political loyalty in such a way that they become exclusively associated with unquestioning obedience to the ruling authority, leaving no room for political participation, pluralism, or legitimate differences of political opinion.
Al-Fayez considers regional dynamics to be fundamental to understanding the current developments. He does not view Bahrain as an isolated case but rather as part of a broader regional landscape shaped by major rivalries and alliances, including tensions among regional and global powers and the evolving relations of certain Arab states with the United States and the Israeli regime. He added that these transformations have led to a recalibration of political priorities, prompting some governments to strengthen their domestic control mechanisms rather than pursue political opening. According to him, this process forms part of what he describes as the &quot;reconfiguration of domestic affairs&quot; in line with external geopolitical developments.
In this context, Al-Fayez emphasized that the objective of these measures extends beyond merely suppressing direct political activism; rather, it has evolved into what he describes as a project to &quot;create a new human being.&quot; According to him, this project seeks to redesign individuals&#39; consciousness and their cultural, religious, and political identities in order to produce a society that is less inclined to protest or resist and is fully absorbed into the imposed structure of stability. He believes that this project is closely intertwined with broader regional developments, including regional conflicts, the redrawing of spheres of influence, and shifts in the balance of power. Consequently, Bahrain should be understood as part of a political landscape that extends far beyond its own geographical borders.
In conclusion, Al-Fayez argued that the continuation of this approach will not only fail to resolve the country&#39;s domestic challenges but may also intensify its political and social crises. He called for a serious reassessment of the current policies and for creating the conditions necessary to achieve comprehensive political solutions&mdash;solutions capable of restoring balance to the relationship between the state and society and laying the foundation for a new phase based on participation rather than exclusion, and partnership rather than domination. Only through such an approach, he concluded, can a deeper and more sustainable stability be secured for the country.
&nbsp;]]></description>
            <category>Bahrain</category>
            <pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 05:36:21 GMT</pubDate>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.islamtimes.com/en/interview/1297108/the-campaign-against-bahrain-s-shi-a-is-an-extension-of-the-project-to-politically-reshape-region</guid>
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            <title>Bahrain Is Facing a Deepening Political Deadlock; An Intensified Security Approach Is Worsening Rather Than Resolving the Crisis</title>
            <link>https://www.islamtimes.com/en/interview/1297107/bahrain-is-facing-a-deepening-political-deadlock-an-intensified-security-approach-worsening-rather-than-resolving-the-crisis</link>
            <description><![CDATA[In an interview with Islam Times, Mushaima stated that the current period is, in fact, a continuation of the accumulated political developments of previous years. However, he noted that this trend has become far more pronounced in recent years through the expansion of security control mechanisms, the shrinking of political and civic space, and the restructuring of the public sphere. According to him, these measures have progressively weakened citizens&#39; ability to express their views and participate in public life while severely restricting the presence of political and social activists in the public arena.
The Bahraini political activist added that the most defining feature of Bahrain&#39;s current political landscape is the transformation of security agencies, judicial institutions, and administrative mechanisms into the primary instruments for managing political disagreements, whereas politics should naturally provide an inclusive framework for addressing such differences. He noted that this shift has weakened political pluralism, undermined the natural environment for social interaction, and created an increasingly closed and restrictive public sphere.
He further recalled that in recent years, the use of measures such as arrests, repeated summonses, and, in some cases, the revocation of citizenship has expanded significantly. In addition, numerous restrictions have been imposed on public, religious, and social activities. Mushaima believes that such practices are no longer exceptional or limited to isolated cases but have evolved into a comprehensive pattern in the state&#39;s management of domestic affairs.
According to him, this governing model has redefined the relationship between the state and society. In this process, an open political environment has gradually given way to an extensive system of security and administrative controls. These changes have not only undermined public trust but have also eroded opportunities for political dialogue and significantly reduced society&#39;s ability to articulate its demands through legal and organized channels.
Mushaima stressed that one of the country&#39;s greatest current challenges is the securitization of political disagreements. In other words, critical opinions and dissenting positions are addressed solely within the narrow framework of security and judicial measures, despite the fact that such issues require political solutions and a comprehensive national dialogue. He argued that the continuation of this approach does not resolve existing problems but merely leads to the accumulation of further crises.
The Bahraini analyst added that the current trend extends beyond restricting direct political activism and encompasses broader spheres, including religious, social, and cultural life. The scope of these restrictions has now expanded to include religious activities, public discourse, and social initiatives. He described this situation as a form of &quot;re-engineering the public sphere,&quot; aimed at reducing the dynamism of society and directing it into highly controlled frameworks.
He further noted that, in the absence of a secure political environment that allows for participation and the free expression of opinions, these policies have generated widespread social concern among large segments of the population. According to him, this has had a direct negative impact on overall stability while increasing underlying social tensions.
Mushaima also warned that the continuation of this trend is steadily weakening the position of civil society institutions. As a result, intermediary institutions are losing their ability to perform their natural role in easing tensions and serving as a bridge between the state and the public, thereby creating a significant political vacuum that will only deepen over time.
In his broader assessment of the country&#39;s political situation, the Bahraini activist emphasized that Bahrain is now facing a progressively worsening political deadlock, as the space available for achieving political solutions continues to shrink in favor of security- and administrative-based approaches. He argued that this strategy amounts to little more than concealing the underlying problem and postponing the crisis, ultimately reproducing it in more complex forms. He added that in the absence of a transparent and inclusive political process that enables the participation of all segments of society and recognizes the country&#39;s social diversity, any apparent stability will remain highly fragile and unsustainable, because the root causes of the crisis remain fundamentally unaddressed.
He stated unequivocally that no government can effectively govern a pluralistic society by relying solely on security instruments. Such an approach, he argued, will ultimately erode internal cohesion, destroy mutual trust between the state and the people, and continuously exacerbate political and social tensions over the long term.
In another part of his remarks, Mushaima referred to the regional situation, noting that the Middle East is currently passing through an exceptionally sensitive period in which political and security issues have become deeply intertwined. Nevertheless, he emphasized that these volatile regional circumstances should not be used as a pretext for restricting freedoms or closing the public sphere. On the contrary, they should serve as an incentive to strengthen domestic stability through the expansion of political participation.
He further stressed that linking domestic issues to regional tensions does nothing to address the root causes of the country&#39;s crisis and may instead provide a justification for intensifying repression. By contrast, he argued, the fundamental and principled solution lies in establishing an open political structure&mdash;one that is capable of accommodating and integrating the diversity that exists within society.
Concluding his interview with Islam Times, Mushaima warned that persisting with the current policies would only further complicate the country&#39;s political and social challenges. He emphasized that unless genuine and meaningful political reforms are implemented, the country&#39;s crises will continue to reproduce themselves in a vicious cycle.
He further noted that genuine and lasting stability can never emerge from policies of exclusion, repression, or restrictions on the public sphere. Achieving such stability requires the formulation of a new political covenant founded upon national partnership, the expansion of civil liberties, and the restoration of meaningful political participation, serving as the principal guarantee of the country&#39;s long-term stability.
The Bahraini activist concluded by stressing that Bahrain is in urgent need of a comprehensive and fundamental reassessment of the way its political sphere is managed. He called for a serious transition from a policy of &quot;crisis management&quot; to one of &quot;crisis resolution,&quot; and from a &quot;security-centered approach&quot; to a &quot;political approach,&quot; so as to ensure a more balanced and sustainable future for the country and for all segments of its society.
&nbsp;]]></description>
            <category>Bahrain</category>
            <pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 05:34:49 GMT</pubDate>
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        <item>
            <title>Bahrain Senior Cleric Warns of US-Israel Plot against Muslims</title>
            <link>https://www.islamtimes.com/en/news/1297084/bahrain-senior-cleric-warns-of-us-israel-plot-against-muslims</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassem, the spiritual leader of Bahrain&#39;s Shiite community, said it is no secret to official regimes across the Arab and Islamic world that the United States and the Zionist regime are pursuing malicious agendas and conspiratorial plans designed to undermine the Muslim Ummah.

He said Washington and Tel Aviv are promoting a &quot;poisonous culture of division&quot; through their media outlets with the aim of shattering the unity of the Islamic nation.

The senior cleric added that the strategy seeks to deepen rifts among governments at both the regional and national levels, with a particular focus on religious and sectarian differences to create the most severe forms of discord and perpetuate destructive conflicts.

He further said enormous financial resources have been allocated to implement these plans, whose objective is to fuel devastating conflicts that drain the resources of Arab and Muslim countries and ultimately destroy their shared existence.

Sheikh Isa Qassem also said that despite widespread awareness of an aggressive conspiracy targeting both Arabs and non-Arabs across the Arab and Islamic world, a considerable number of countries within the scope of these plans have rushed&mdash;either openly or through tacit coordination and secrecy&mdash;to participate in fomenting internal conflicts and civil wars under the guise of sectarian and religious differences.]]></description>
            <category>Bahrain</category>
            <pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 03:56:54 GMT</pubDate>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.islamtimes.com/en/news/1297084/bahrain-senior-cleric-warns-of-us-israel-plot-against-muslims</guid>
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            <title>Growing Restrictions on Ashura Rituals Are Reshaping Bahrain’s Religious Landscape</title>
            <link>https://www.islamtimes.com/en/interview/1296867/growing-restrictions-on-ashura-rituals-are-reshaping-bahrain-s-religious-landscape</link>
            <description><![CDATA[In an interview with Islam Times, Al-Hassabi noted that the current period represents a turning point in the management of Bahrain&#39;s religious sphere. During this phase, security and political considerations have become more deeply intertwined than ever with the details of religious and social life. This situation has directly affected the nature of Ashura ceremonies in terms of their organization, the discourse surrounding them, and the degree of freedom with which they are conducted.
The Bahraini activist added that this transformation did not emerge through a single, abrupt decision, but rather resulted from a series of gradual and cumulative measures. Over time, this process has produced a reality markedly different from previous years, characterized primarily by the expansion of security oversight and surveillance over the religious sphere, particularly with regard to ceremonies that enjoy broad public participation.
Al-Hassabi pointed out that the campaign targeting the Islamic Republic of Iran, accompanied by escalating political, media, and security tensions across the region, has not remained confined to the regional level. Its repercussions have become clearly evident in the domestic policies of several countries, including Bahrain, to the extent that these confrontations have led to a redefinition of the concept of &quot;threat&quot; within the country&#39;s political and security discourse.
He explained that this shift in the definition of threat has resulted in a growing number of issues&mdash;including certain religious and social matters&mdash;being managed within a security-oriented framework. In this context, and according to certain interpretations, Ashura rituals have also become part of this sensitive security landscape.
According to Al-Hassabi, the growing linkage between domestic affairs and external developments has created a situation of &quot;intertwined priorities,&quot; whereby regional events now directly influence the administration of internal affairs. The consequences of this are clearly reflected in the state of public freedoms and the shrinking space for religious and social expression.
Within the framework of his analysis, Al-Hassabi emphasized that what is unfolding today goes beyond the issue of merely &quot;organizing religious rituals&quot; or managing public events. He described the process as a gradual path toward the &quot;reengineering of the religious sphere&quot; in the public domain, advancing through the establishment of new boundaries, the expansion of oversight, and the redefinition of red lines as well as what is deemed permissible or impermissible.
The political activist stated that this trend has manifested itself on several levels, including stricter licensing requirements for mourning processions and religious programs, expanded monitoring of certain religious discourses, the redefinition and restriction of public spaces allocated for religious ceremonies, and heightened sensitivity toward large-scale public participation in religious occasions.
He noted that even if these measures are justified under the banner of administrative organization, their cumulative nature ultimately leads to a structural transformation in the role and presence of Ashura rituals within the public sphere. As a result, the flexibility that once existed has largely disappeared, and the space available for such activities has become significantly more restricted. Al-Hassabi identified the dominance of a security-driven approach over religious affairs as one of the most significant developments in this regard, explaining that some religious activities are no longer examined solely from an administrative perspective but are instead placed within a broader security framework, fundamentally altering the way they are handled.
He further explained that this interconnection has, in practice, reduced the religious sphere from an open social space to a &quot;conditional and restricted&quot; one, where even the smallest details are subjected to multilayered scrutiny and security measures, leading to a gradual contraction of the religious activities of society. He warned that the greatest danger of this approach lies in its subtle and incremental nature, concealed behind a succession of small, cumulative decisions&mdash;a process that may appear slow on the surface but will have profoundly far-reaching consequences over time.
Al-Hassabi stressed that Ashura rituals are not merely acts of worship but also possess broad social, cultural, and emotional dimensions. He asserted that any interference in the manner in which these ceremonies are conducted, or any restriction on their presence in the public sphere, directly wounds the sentiments of society.
He noted that the continuation of this pattern of governance has led broad segments of society to feel that the balance in the management of the public sphere has been lost, particularly when the restrictions imposed on religious activities are compared with the greater openness afforded to other sectors.
According to Al-Hassabi, this sense of dissatisfaction did not emerge overnight; rather, it has accumulated over time through the repeated implementation of such measures. This process has gradually altered the collective mindset and significantly heightened public sensitivity toward any new decisions in this area.
Al-Hassabi described the emergence of what he called &quot;silent tension&quot; as one of the greatest dangers of maintaining the current approach&mdash;a form of latent social anxiety rooted in the persistent ambiguity surrounding the boundary between freedom and restriction in the religious sphere.
He explained that although this type of tension may not immediately escalate into overt crises, it gradually accumulates over time, manifesting itself in heightened social sensitivities, a sharp decline in public trust, and increasingly pessimistic interpretations of government policies.
He added that unless this situation is fundamentally addressed, the gap between the people and state institutions will continue to widen, not only in the political sphere but also across the social, religious, and cultural domains.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Al-Hassabi referred to the heavy shadow cast over Bahrain&#39;s domestic environment by regional alignments associated with the confrontation against Iran. He stated that the intersection of regional policies with domestic affairs has caused local issues to be interpreted within a framework that extends beyond national borders. He emphasized that this interconnection has created an extremely complex environment, as domestic decision-making has effectively become hostage to broader regional calculations, profoundly influencing the management of sensitive issues.
He stressed that resolving this issue requires a comprehensive approach&mdash;one that goes beyond purely administrative or security-oriented perspectives and recognizes religious and cultural diversity as one of the fundamental pillars of social stability. He also underscored that lasting stability can never be achieved through the suppression of, or restrictions on, religious spaces. Rather, it requires a transparent regulatory framework that strikes a balance between legal requirements and the right to freely practice religious rites.
Concluding the interview, Al-Hassabi warned that the continuation of regional tensions, particularly the confrontation with Iran and the consequences arising from the new alignments in the Middle East, must not become a pretext for imposing additional pressure on Bahraini society. He emphasized that if this approach continues without reassessment, it will, in the long term, give rise to complex and accumulated crises that cannot be managed through conventional or traditional means.
&nbsp;]]></description>
            <category>Bahrain</category>
            <pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 03:44:00 GMT</pubDate>
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            <title>Palestine Is a Central Cause of Liberation, and Pressure in Bahrain Is Linked to Positions on the Axis of Resistance</title>
            <link>https://www.islamtimes.com/en/interview/1296866/palestine-is-a-central-cause-of-liberation-and-pressure-in-bahrain-linked-to-positions-on-the-axis-resistance</link>
            <description><![CDATA[In an exclusive interview with Islam Times, al-Khazali explained that attending the funeral ceremony of Martyr Imam Sayyid Ali Khamenei was an affirmation of belonging to the school of resistance and a renewal of the pledge to continue the path of the martyrs. He described the developments currently unfolding in the region as a historic and enduring struggle between the forces of independence and the forces of foreign domination.
He added that the Islamic Republic of Iran has demonstrated during recent confrontations that it possesses the ability to withstand and thwart internationally driven projects aimed against it. According to him, this resilience reflects the depth of the political, intellectual, and military experience that Iran has accumulated over the course of decades.
Al-Khazali stated: &ldquo;This path&mdash;shaped by thought, struggle, and sacrifice&mdash;will remain alive in the collective consciousness of the people of the region, and its influence will endure for future generations until ultimate victory is achieved and the arrogance of the United States and Zionism is brought to an end.&rdquo;
&nbsp;
Palestine: A Cause of Liberation and National Rights That Cannot Be Ignored
Addressing the Palestinian issue, al-Khazali emphasized that what is taking place in the occupied Palestinian territories is fundamentally a cause of liberation and the national rights of a people who have lived under occupation for decades. He stated that any solution not based on ending the occupation entirely and enabling the Palestinian people to obtain their legitimate rights will not bring genuine stability to the region.
He explained that the continuation of settlement expansion, arrests, home demolitions, the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip, and the repeated attacks against civilians all illustrate the humanitarian and political dimensions of the crisis confronting the Palestinian people. This reality, he said, also confirms that the root causes of the conflict remain unresolved.
Al-Khazali added that Palestine is &ldquo;the central issue of the region&rdquo; and will continue to serve as a measure of the international community&rsquo;s commitment to the principles of justice and human rights. He warned that ignoring this issue or attempting to move beyond it would only lead to greater tensions and wider regional instability.
He called for more serious and effective Arab, Islamic, and international action that goes beyond issuing statements of condemnation and translates into practical measures to halt the aggression, lift the blockade, and support the Palestinian people&rsquo;s right to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state.
Al-Khazali also stressed that the Axis of Resistance will remain one of the principal supporters of the Palestinian people and that continuing this support reflects both a moral and political commitment to a cause that the people of the region regard as central and impossible to abandon.
&nbsp;
Bahrain: Political and Legal Pressure Linked to Positions on the Axis of Resistance
In another part of the interview, al-Khazali referred to what he described as &quot;organized policies of pressure&quot; against citizens in Bahrain, stating that some of these measures are linked to political positions supporting the Axis of Resistance&mdash;particularly positions regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran&mdash;as well as expressions of solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
He explained: &quot;The human rights situation in Bahrain continues to be marked by persistent restrictions on public freedoms, particularly freedom of expression and political participation, with certain social and political groups being treated according to stringent security and political considerations.&quot;
Al-Khazali added that these policies, resulting from what he described as political exclusion and the restriction of national participation, have created a form of imbalance within Bahraini society&mdash;a situation that adversely affects both domestic stability and social cohesion.
He also stated that public expressions of support for regional causes, foremost among them support for Palestine and declarations of solidarity with the Axis of Resistance, have in some cases become additional grounds for intensified pressure and prosecution.
Al-Khazali called for opening the way toward genuine political reform&mdash;one that guarantees the participation of all components of the nation without discrimination and respects fundamental freedoms and human rights. He emphasized that stability cannot be achieved through the exclusion of others, but rather through national participation and political justice.
Concluding his interview with Islam Times, al-Khazali emphasized that the causes of freedom and justice across the region are inseparably interconnected, and that supporting Palestine and opposing repressive policies in any country are part of a single, unified vision. He stated that the Axis of Resistance regards this vision as the foundation of its political and moral project.
&nbsp;]]></description>
            <category>Bahrain</category>
            <pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 03:42:28 GMT</pubDate>
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            <title>Bahrain Witnesses an Unprecedented Escalation in Human Rights Violations and the Systematic Repression of Opposition Figures and Prisoners</title>
            <link>https://www.islamtimes.com/en/interview/1296861/bahrain-witnesses-an-unprecedented-escalation-in-human-rights-violations-and-the-systematic-repression-of-opposition-figures-prisoners</link>
            <description><![CDATA[Pointing out that the developments currently unfolding in the kingdom are neither sudden nor merely a consequence of recent regional events, he stressed that the present situation is, in fact, a continuation of the trajectory that began with the events of 2011. Nevertheless, over the past few months, and concurrently with the U.S. and Israeli aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran and the ensuing regional tensions, this trend has intensified significantly.
In an exclusive interview with Islam Times, Ben Abdessalam explained that the authorities in Manama have recently escalated the wave of arrests and security prosecutions targeting political activists, human rights defenders, and Shiite clerics. These measures have been carried out alongside the continued policy of revoking the citizenship of Bahraini nationals. He described these actions as a clear violation of international treaties, foremost among them the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Stating that Bahrain has faced persistent human rights violations for years, he added that these include arbitrary arrests, the prosecution of opposition figures, and restrictions on public freedoms. According to him, these policies have not only continued since 2011 but have steadily intensified to the present day.
He stated that during the recent period&mdash;particularly following the outbreak of the war against Iran&mdash;these measures have escalated considerably. The scope of the crackdown has widened to include legal activists and defenders of public freedoms. In addition, a number of Shiite clerics have been arrested or subjected to prosecution because of their religious and social positions and activities.
Ben Abdessalam noted that the Bahraini authorities&rsquo; insistence on revoking the citizenship of their citizens constitutes one of the gravest human rights violations, since nationality is a fundamental right and its arbitrary deprivation&mdash;particularly in the case of individuals who indisputably qualify as Bahraini citizens under both the country&rsquo;s legal framework and Constitution&mdash;is indefensible.
He emphasized that the consequences of citizenship revocation extend far beyond its legal implications, affecting other fundamental rights and depriving individuals of legal and social protections. As such, he argued, the practice stands in direct contradiction to the fundamental principles of international human rights law.
The human rights advocate stressed that such policies require unequivocal condemnation from all defenders of human rights. He called on the Bahraini authorities to reconsider these practices, reverse their course, and adhere to international standards governing the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
&nbsp;
A Call for International Action
The Moroccan human rights official emphasized that responsibility for addressing these violations does not rest solely with Bahraini organizations but also with international institutions responsible for the protection of human rights. He called on the United Nations to activate its special mechanisms for monitoring human rights violations in Bahrain.
He also urged Amnesty International, the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), Human Rights Watch, and all international human rights organizations to intensify their efforts to document developments in Bahrain. Ben Abdessalam called for the publication of regular reports exposing the full extent of these violations and for increased pressure on the Bahraini authorities to bring them to an end.
He pointed out that these organizations have a duty to pursue human rights cases before the relevant international bodies and should not limit their role to issuing statements. Instead, they must take concrete steps to ensure accountability for those responsible for serious human rights violations.

Human Rights Violations Extending Inside Prisons
Discussing the situation of detainees, Ben Abdessalam stressed that violations do not end with arrest and trial but extend into the prison system itself. According to him, a number of detainees&mdash;particularly Shiite prisoners and political opponents&mdash;have been subjected to measures that can only be described as punitive and degrading.
Referring to published reports indicating that some prisoners have been deprived of food and subjected to restrictions that violate their most basic human rights, he questioned what could possibly justify the Bahraini authorities&#39; imposition of such punishments inside prisons, especially after the prisoners have already undergone the full processes of interrogation and trial.
Ben Abdessalam added that, under international law, imprisonment entails only the deprivation of liberty and in no way justifies depriving an individual of their fundamental rights or subjecting them to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
He emphasized that prisoners continue to enjoy the right to adequate food, medical care, daily outdoor exercise, access to news, communication with their families, in-person visits, and living conditions that preserve their human dignity. He stressed that any violation of these rights constitutes a clear breach of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules).
He noted that if the reported incidents inside Bahrain&#39;s prisons are verified, they would constitute an explicit violation of the international treaties to which Manama is a party, and independent bodies should launch investigations into these allegations.

The Nature of the Political System
Ben Abdessalam attributed these violations to the nature of Bahrain&#39;s political system, arguing that the continued suppression of public freedoms and human rights reflects an approach based on restricting political and human rights activities and on failing to fully comply with international covenants that guarantee freedom of expression, association, and belief.
He added that violations of citizens&#39; rights&mdash;both outside and inside prisons&mdash;demonstrate the urgent need for genuine reforms that guarantee respect for the fundamental rights of all citizens without any form of discrimination.

Legal Avenues for Holding Perpetrators Accountable
Discussing ways to address these violations, the General Coordinator of the Coalition of Human Rights Organizations in Morocco explained that Bahraini human rights organizations should continue documenting violations, collecting evidence, and recording testimonies while making full use of the legal mechanisms available at both the national and international levels.
He identified the use of the United Nations&#39; Special Procedures and treaty bodies as one of the principal avenues for holding those responsible for these violations accountable. He also stressed the importance of utilizing human rights reports to generate sustained international pressure.
Ben Abdessalam further called on Arab and international human rights organizations to provide legal and media support to human rights defenders in Bahrain and to assist them in their efforts to safeguard public freedoms and ensure the protection of citizens&#39; political and civil rights.

The Responsibility of the International Community
Concluding the interview, Abdelilah Ben Abdessalam stressed that the international community now has a responsibility to adopt a more effective position regarding developments in Bahrain. He warned that continued silence&mdash;or limiting international action to issuing statements of condemnation&mdash;effectively provides cover for the continuation of these violations.
He stated that protecting human rights requires serious action at the international level&mdash;action that ensures an end to arbitrary arrests, the termination of the policy of citizenship revocation, respect for prisoners&#39; rights, and the release of prisoners of conscience, human rights defenders, and political detainees. According to him, such an approach must be fully consistent with Bahrain&#39;s international obligations and the fundamental principles of justice and human rights.
&nbsp;]]></description>
            <category>Bahrain</category>
            <pubDate>Mon, 03 Aug 2026 03:37:32 GMT</pubDate>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.islamtimes.com/en/interview/1296861/bahrain-witnesses-an-unprecedented-escalation-in-human-rights-violations-and-the-systematic-repression-of-opposition-figures-prisoners</guid>
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            <title>IRGC: US Air Radar, Jet Fuel Pumps Destroyed in Bahrain</title>
            <link>https://www.islamtimes.com/en/news/1292792/irgc-us-air-radar-jet-fuel-pumps-destroyed-in-bahrain</link>
            <description><![CDATA[The IRGC said its naval forces carried out the attack under &quot;Operation Nasr 2,&quot; blaming the &quot;child-killing American army&quot; of striking coastal bases and civilian sites, including a children&#39;s cancer hospital and a factory producing drinking water for pilgrims travelling to Karbala in the border area of Ilam province.

&quot;The battle continues,&quot; the statement said.

The Sheikh Isa base has been struck repeatedly in recent days by both the IRGC and Iran&#39;s army. U.S. forces have continued to hit Iranian territory from the southern coast to central-northern provinces, with more than 30 civilians reported killed and a cancer hospital in Ahvaz evacuated after nearby strikes.]]></description>
            <category>Bahrain</category>
            <pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2026 01:14:20 GMT</pubDate>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.islamtimes.com/en/news/1292792/irgc-us-air-radar-jet-fuel-pumps-destroyed-in-bahrain</guid>
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            <title>The Government Is Exploiting the War Against Iran to Intensify Repression and Target Bahrainis' Religious and Political Identity</title>
            <link>https://www.islamtimes.com/en/interview/1292158/the-government-is-exploiting-the-war-against-iran-to-intensify-repression-and-target-bahrainis-religious-political-identity</link>
            <description><![CDATA[In an interview with Islam Times, Al-Aswad explained that since the beginning of the U.S. and Israeli attacks against Iran, the Bahraini government has used the slogan of &quot;maintaining security and enforcing the law&quot; as a cover for implementing a series of extraordinary measures against citizens, particularly members of the Shiite community. He noted that what is currently taking place is less a genuine security operation than what he described as &quot;a campaign of retaliation.&quot;
&nbsp;
Systematic Targeting Since the Outbreak of the War
Al-Aswad stated that Bahrain has witnessed an unprecedented escalation in violations of citizens&#39; rights over recent months&mdash;a trend that began with the war against Iran and intensified with the arrival of the Ashura season. According to him, the security authorities stepped up their actions against Hussaini gatherings and Ashura mourning processions, imposing stringent restrictions on the observance of religious rituals. At the same time, they launched widespread arrest campaigns targeting preachers, eulogists, religious scholars, political activists, and media figures.
He added that these measures cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader policy that the authorities have pursued for several months&mdash;a policy based on criminalizing any expression of solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran or opposition to the aggression against it, even when such expressions are limited to a social media post or participation in a religious ceremony.
&nbsp;
The Travel Ban Has Political Dimensions
Referring to the Bahraini Ministry of Interior&#39;s decision to ban citizens from traveling to Iraq and Iran, Al-Aswad said the measure extends well beyond the security justifications put forward by the government and carries clear political messages aimed at the religious and cultural ties of thousands of Bahrainis with the holy sites located in those two countries.
He noted that tens of thousands of Bahrainis travel annually to Iraq and Iran for religious pilgrimages. However, the authorities have specifically prohibited travel to those two countries while imposing no comparable restrictions on travel to other destinations, including the occupied Palestinian territories. According to him, this disparity clearly demonstrates the political nature of the decision.
Al-Aswad explained that the measure forms part of a systematic effort to sever Bahraini society from its religious and cultural roots and to cut off its connections with religious authorities and institutions outside the country.
&nbsp;
Ashura Under Security Siege
Al-Aswad stressed that this year&#39;s Ashura season was marked by unprecedented restrictions. These included extensive pressure on Hussaini gatherings and mourning processions, preventing the display of certain slogans and symbols, prosecuting organizers of religious gatherings, and summoning a number of preachers and eulogists for interrogation.
He added that the Ministry of Interior went even further by announcing a ban on what it referred to as &quot;Wilayat al-Faqih gatherings.&quot; The ministry also warned citizens against taking any position in support of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Al-Aswad described these statements as direct interference in freedom of belief and the practice of religious rites, characterizing them as a dangerous precedent in Bahrain&#39;s history.
&nbsp;
Hundreds Detained on Politically Motivated Charges
Pointing to the dramatic expansion of arrest campaigns in recent months, Al-Aswad explained that hundreds of citizens have been arrested or summoned because of their political or religious views or for expressing solidarity with Iran.
He noted that the authorities have brought accusations against many detainees, including alleged links to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), espionage on behalf of Iran, or adherence to the doctrine of Wilayat al-Faqih. In his view, these accusations are being used solely as political instruments to justify the arrests and provide a legal fa&ccedil;ade for the broader campaign of repression.
Al-Aswad also stated that a large number of religious scholars remain in detention. He expressed serious concern that they may face trials lacking due process and fundamental legal guarantees or receive severe sentences solely because of their religious and political views.
&nbsp;
A Climate of Fear Hanging Over Every Bahraini Household
Al-Aswad explained that an atmosphere of fear and intimidation has spread throughout Bahraini society. According to him, families live under the constant anxiety of nighttime raids and sudden arrests, while many citizens refrain from expressing their views even in private gatherings out of fear of security prosecution.
He added that this policy of intimidation is intended to break society&#39;s will and force it into silence. At the same time, he argued, such an approach reflects the depth of the crisis facing the government and exposes its inability to resolve the situation through dialogue and political reform.
&nbsp;
Targeting Religious and Social Institutions
Within this context, Al-Aswad described the decision to dissolve the Al-Taw&#39;iyah Islamic Society as the latest link in a continuing campaign against independent religious and cultural institutions. He stated that since its establishment, the society had played a prominent social and cultural role while remaining entirely removed from partisan political activity. Nevertheless, he said, it was dissolved as part of a broader policy aimed at dismantling the social structure of Bahrain&#39;s Shiite community.
He added that the authorities had previously targeted prominent religious figures, foremost among them the Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim, by revoking his citizenship and forcing him into exile. According to Al-Aswad, these measures demonstrate that the same exclusionary approach continues today, albeit through different methods and instruments.
&nbsp;
The Normalization File in the Background
Al-Aswad believes that a significant part of these policies is linked to the government&#39;s efforts to prepare the domestic environment for the normalization of relations with the Israeli occupation. According to him, this is being pursued by silencing voices opposed to normalization, particularly given that the overwhelming majority of the Bahraini people have openly rejected relations with the occupying power and continue to express their full support for the Palestinian cause.
He stressed that any voice linking support for Palestine with solidarity with Iran, or questioning relations with the occupying regime, is immediately subjected to security prosecution. According to him, this clearly illustrates the political priorities shaping the government&#39;s conduct.
&nbsp;
Growing Human Rights Criticism
Al-Aswad noted that international human rights organizations are increasingly documenting the widespread human rights violations committed in Bahrain and other Gulf states since the outbreak of the war against Iran. He referred to reports documenting hundreds of arrests following the publication of online content or the expression of political views&mdash;a trend accompanied by intensified surveillance of the digital sphere and an escalating crackdown on freedom of expression.
He emphasized that these reports reflect only a fraction of the reality, as the actual scale of violations on the ground is far greater. Arrests, summonses, and the tightening of restrictions on religious, political, and media freedoms, he said, continue unabated.
&nbsp;
A Call for International Action
Concluding the interview, Ali Al-Aswad, the former Bahraini parliamentarian, called on the international community, human rights organizations, and the United Nations to fulfill their legal and moral responsibilities regarding the situation in Bahrain. He urged them to exert effective pressure on the Bahraini authorities to immediately halt the arrest campaigns, release all political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, guarantee respect for religious freedom and freedom of expression, and end policies based on sectarian discrimination and political exclusion. Al-Aswad stressed that the continuation of these repressive policies will only deepen Bahrain&#39;s internal crisis and further increase tensions within its society.
&nbsp;]]></description>
            <category>Bahrain</category>
            <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 03:41:23 GMT</pubDate>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.islamtimes.com/en/interview/1292158/the-government-is-exploiting-the-war-against-iran-to-intensify-repression-and-target-bahrainis-religious-political-identity</guid>
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            <title>Post-Confrontation Developments Following the War Against Iran Mark the Most Dangerous Wave of Restrictions on Freedoms in Bahrain in Recent Years</title>
            <link>https://www.islamtimes.com/en/interview/1292157/post-confrontation-developments-following-the-war-against-iran-mark-most-dangerous-wave-of-restrictions-on-freedoms-in-bahrain-recent-years</link>
            <description><![CDATA[In an interview with Islam Times, Al-Damistani stressed that what is taking place in Bahrain today is not merely a series of isolated measures but part of a comprehensive project aimed at redesigning the public sphere and compelling society to submit more fully to the dominance of the security apparatus. According to him, the authorities are making maximum use of regional developments and the war of recent months to advance this agenda.
He added that recent developments have clearly demonstrated the extent to which the state of freedoms in Bahrain has deteriorated. Arrests, summonses, and security prosecutions have expanded significantly and now encompass clerics, preachers, eulogists, political activists, journalists, human rights advocates, and even ordinary citizens. These individuals, he noted, have been targeted solely for expressing their views on social media or for showing solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran during the recent aggression.
The human rights activist pointed out that the most dangerous feature of the current phase is the shift from targeting political opposition activists to criminalizing intellectual and religious beliefs. He explained that many citizens are now being prosecuted merely because of their political positions, religious convictions, or views regarding regional developments.
Al-Damistani stated that the authorities are seeking to create a public atmosphere in which citizens feel that simply expressing a different opinion or taking a political or religious position could expose them to security measures. He described this as a clear violation of the fundamental rights guaranteed under international instruments protecting freedom of expression and freedom of belief.
According to him, this reality has generated a widespread climate of fear within society, to the extent that many families refrain from speaking publicly about the circumstances of their detained relatives or criticizing government practices out of fear of prosecution or security-related restrictions.
He identified the extension of these measures to religious scholars and religious institutions as the most alarming aspect of the current situation. Al-Damistani noted that Bahrain has not witnessed such a broad wave of prosecutions against prominent religious figures with recognized scholarly and social standing for many years.
He emphasized that the arrest of clerics, preachers, and leading religious figures sends dangerous signals to society, since religious institutions in Bahrain represent not only a source of spiritual authority but also a fundamental pillar of the country&#39;s social and cultural fabric.
The legal expert added that the pressure exerted on these institutions has coincided with growing efforts to control the religious sphere and place it under direct government supervision&mdash;an approach that undermines the historical independence of these institutions and diminishes their natural role in public life.
Regarding Ashura observances, Al-Damistani stressed that restrictions imposed in recent years on certain religious activities associated with Ashura and other Islamic occasions have increased. He described this issue as one of the principal sources of tension between the government and society.
He noted that Ashura observances constitute an authentic component of the religious and cultural identity of a broad segment of Bahrain&#39;s population. Consequently, any restrictions or interference carry profound societal repercussions because they directly affect deeply rooted religious sentiments and spiritual traditions with a long historical legacy. Analysts believe these measures form part of a broader project aimed at closing the public sphere and eliminating the remaining independent spaces within society.
Al-Damistani then addressed the issue of citizenship revocation, describing it as one of the most dangerous instruments employed in recent years because its consequences extend beyond the individual and affect entire families.
He explained that citizenship is not a privilege that the state may revoke at will, but rather a fundamental right intrinsically linked to an individual&#39;s identity, sense of belonging, and legal status. Therefore, using it as a punitive tool raises serious human rights concerns. He concluded that the continuation of these policies, instead of fostering trust and stability, has deepened feelings of insecurity and social instability while further increasing citizens&#39; anxieties.
Al-Damistani also criticized what he described as double standards in the management of the public sphere. He pointed out that while certain entertainment and cultural events enjoy the highest levels of freedom and official support, religious and social activities are increasingly subjected to restrictions and stringent controls. This disparity, he argued, reinforces feelings of discrimination among citizens and exacerbates domestic tensions, particularly when deeply rooted religious observances are involved.
Al-Damistani linked developments in Bahrain to recent regional transformations, stating that some Gulf regimes viewed the war against Iran as an opportunity to reorganize their domestic landscape and further strengthen their security control.
He explained that Iran&#39;s resilience during the confrontation and the subsequent shifts in the regional balance of power caused concern among parties that had anticipated a different outcome. According to him, this concern has been reflected in domestic policies targeting opposition figures and activists. He described the practice of linking citizens&#39; political positions to regional developments and using them as a pretext for security prosecutions as a dangerous approach that threatens fundamental rights and undermines the prospects for lasting stability.
He called on international human rights organizations, the United Nations, and institutions dedicated to defending freedom of religion and belief to monitor developments in Bahrain more closely and to exert pressure on the authorities to comply with their international treaty obligations.
He noted that the way out of Bahrain&#39;s domestic crises does not lie in expanding repression, but rather in dialogue, political reform, and respect for religious and intellectual pluralism. He stressed that genuine stability cannot be achieved through fear and exclusion; instead, it requires building a country in which all citizens, without discrimination, regard themselves as equal in both rights and responsibilities.
Concluding his remarks, Al-Damistani emphasized that Bahrain is in need of a comprehensive review of its human rights policies&mdash;one founded upon respect for public freedoms, the release of prisoners of conscience, and an end to politically and religiously motivated prosecutions.
&nbsp;]]></description>
            <category>Bahrain</category>
            <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 03:39:48 GMT</pubDate>
            <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.islamtimes.com/en/interview/1292157/post-confrontation-developments-following-the-war-against-iran-mark-most-dangerous-wave-of-restrictions-on-freedoms-in-bahrain-recent-years</guid>
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            <title>This Year's Ashura Marked the Most Dangerous Period of Restrictions on Husseini Rituals in Recent Years</title>
            <link>https://www.islamtimes.com/en/interview/1292155/this-year-s-ashura-marked-the-most-dangerous-period-of-restrictions-on-husseini-rituals-in-recent-years</link>
            <description><![CDATA[In an exclusive interview with Islam Times, Khalil stated that the 2026 Ashura commemorations revealed the depth of the change in the Manama authorities&#39; approach toward religious freedoms. He added that the measures taken went far beyond administrative regulation and evolved into unprecedented restrictions on Husseini mourning gatherings, mourning processions, preachers, and eulogists&mdash;a policy that ultimately led to the cancellation of a number of long-standing religious programs observed by Bahraini citizens.
&nbsp;
Ashura: The Largest Campaign of Rights Violations
Referring to the position of the Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, the former parliamentarian noted that the opposition group described the events of this year&#39;s Ashura season as &quot;the largest campaign of rights violations&quot; targeting Husseini rituals. He explained that the first ten days of Muharram witnessed the implementation of a series of security and administrative measures that affected virtually every aspect of these religious observances.
According to Khalil, these measures included a wide range of actions, including security summonses, interrogations, arrests, and preventing numerous preachers and eulogists from participating in Husseini mourning gatherings. In addition, severe restrictions were imposed on mourning processions and Husseiniyas, leaving a direct and damaging impact on the spiritual atmosphere of the commemorations.
Khalil stressed that such actions expose the government&#39;s official policy of seeking comprehensive control over the religious sphere and demonstrate that, rather than respecting the right to freely observe religious rituals, the authorities are pursuing absolute control over them.
&nbsp;
Administrative Regulation Turned into Security Guardianship
Khalil stated that although the authorities have justified these interventions under the pretext of organizing religious ceremonies, the realities on the ground demonstrate that the process has evolved into direct security oversight of even the smallest details of Husseini rituals.
He explained that dozens of preachers and eulogists were barred from carrying out their religious duties without any judicial order or convincing legal justification. Security agencies also imposed unprecedented permits and conditions on organizers through telephone communications. As a result, permission for several mourning processions was delayed until the seventh night of Muharram, while the ending time of these ceremonies was officially fixed at midnight.
He emphasized that these measures cannot reasonably be described as efforts to maintain public order; rather, they constitute direct interference in the way citizens conduct their religious observances.
&nbsp;
Systematic Targeting of Religious Symbols and Ashura Manifestations
In another part of his remarks, this political figure stated that the relevant authorities prohibited the display of images of several Maraji&#39; (senior Shiite religious authorities) as well as other religious symbols during the Ashura period. In his view, this represents clear evidence of the continuation of a policy aimed at restricting religious expressions specific to Bahrain&#39;s Shiite community.
Khalil stressed that Husseini rituals are an inseparable part of Bahrain&#39;s history and its religious and social identity. He added that targeting these symbols stands in complete contradiction to the principles enshrined in the Bahraini Constitution, which guarantee freedom of belief and the right to perform religious observances.
&nbsp;
Another Link in a Chain of Systematic Restrictions
Khalil argued that the events of this year&#39;s Ashura cannot be viewed in isolation from the broader pattern of repressive policies pursued by the authorities over recent years. He noted that this approach had previously manifested itself through the arrest of religious scholars, pressure on Shiite seminaries (hawzas), interference in the administration of the Ja&#39;fari Endowments (Awqaf), restrictions on the collection and distribution of religious funds, and the revocation of the citizenship of a number of Bahraini citizens. These measures, he added, were accompanied by coordinated media campaigns promoting accusatory rhetoric and fueling sectarian divisions.
He concluded that the latest measures demonstrate that the same policies are continuing with even greater intensity. According to Khalil, the Bahraini government is exploiting the regional climate created by the war against the Islamic Republic of Iran as a pretext to justify the further expansion of its security restrictions.
&nbsp;
Linking Religious Rituals to Political Developments
The former Bahraini parliamentarian stressed that the country&#39;s authorities now view Husseini rituals entirely through a political and security lens, an approach that has become significantly more pronounced following the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. He said that the widespread public solidarity with the Islamic Republic and the broad opposition to the military campaign prompted the government to further tighten its security control over the religious sphere.
Khalil warned that linking religious observances to political positions constitutes a dangerous precedent, reducing a deeply rooted historical and religious occasion to a security issue that remains under constant surveillance by state institutions.
&nbsp;
Respect for Freedoms: A Fundamental Prerequisite for Stability
Khalil further emphasized that respect for religious freedoms is an essential prerequisite for preserving domestic stability. He warned that continuing to manage the relationship between the state and society through a security-driven approach would only deepen the country&#39;s political and social crises.
He explained that the right to perform religious observances is not a privilege granted by the government, but a fundamental right explicitly guaranteed by the Constitution of Bahrain and international treaties protecting freedom of religion and belief. No authority, he said, has the right to use this fundamental freedom as a pretext for security measures or arbitrary administrative restrictions.
&nbsp;
Call for Comprehensive Political Reforms
Concluding the interview, Abduljalil Khalil called for the launch of genuine political reforms aimed at restoring the authority of the Constitution and protecting citizens&#39; rights. He stated unequivocally that today&#39;s Bahrain requires the establishment of a political system founded on equality among all citizens and respect for religious freedoms.
According to Khalil, the formation of a government that genuinely reflects the national will, the existence of a parliament with full legislative and oversight powers, and the implementation of policies based on national participation, peaceful coexistence, and equal opportunities are indispensable requirements. He stressed that these objectives must be achieved free from exclusionary, sectarian, and security-oriented approaches to governing the country.
&nbsp;]]></description>
            <category>Bahrain</category>
            <pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2026 03:37:10 GMT</pubDate>
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