Iran Censures Bahrain’s Move to Strip Sheikh Qassim’s Citizenship

In a statement on Monday, the ministry also condemned the Bahraini regime’s intensification of its security approach toward religious and national leaders, opposition to religious beliefs and principles, and misappropriation of religious assets and funds of the Bahraini people.

It added that such measures would dash any hope of reformation in the Bahrain through dialog and peaceful means.

The ministry urged the Al Khalifah regime to end the ongoing crisis in the country by stopping its illegal behavior, avoiding “the destruction of all the bridges for communication with the people and moderate leaders of the country, accepting the realities of the country, and holding serious national dialog.”

Bahrain on Monday revoked the citizenship of Sheikh Isa Ahmed Qassim, claiming that he has been involved in spreading extremism.

Bahrain’s Interior Ministry claimed in a statement that Sheikh Qassim actively sought the “creation of a sectarian environment” through his connections with foreign powers.

The ministry claimed that the cleric had misused his religious position to advance a political agenda and serve foreign interests.

The Interior Ministry’s statement added that the senior cleric “caused harm to the interests of the Bahraini kingdom or had acted contrary to the duty of loyalty to the government.”

Describing as illegal donations to Sheikh Qassim by his followers in Bahrain, the statement further accused the cleric of receiving money and using it without obtaining the required legal licenses.