Bahrain Mirror (Exclusive): In an annual move whose outcome has become known in advance, the Bahraini Ministry of Interior sends invitations to heads of Bahrain's obsequies to attend a meeting with its minister; however, many obsequy managements are reluctant to attend the meeting due to its formality, and the possibility of it containing veiled threats to the Shiite community from the minister, whose ministry has been responsible for the ongoing violations against this community for 13 years.

The problem with the Minister of Interior bears several aspects, as he is responsible for the security of the country, and considers all the employees of his ministry, including torturers and murderers, "his brothers" whom he refuses to speak ill of as he had previously stated.  He is also seen as a crisis minister who doesn't rest if there is a looming settlement because he may lose all the power, authority and funds that are under his command to do whatever he pleases.

The Minister of Interior and his security team poison and create tensions in the atmosphere whenever Bahrain goes through periods of relative calmness, whether by talking about a "terrorist cell", or by attacking Iran and harassing Shiites and indirectly questioning their loyalty.

Before 2011, the annual meeting between the Minister of Interior and the heads of obsequies was primarily protocol, but it is a good occasion to listen to their problems, especially those related to bringing preachers and eulogy reciters whose entry to the country requires the issuance of visas. However, after 2011, this meeting turned into an occasion for the minister to issue threats and orders, and set red lines for Shiites during their revival of rituals, and those present should only remain silent and comply.

This year, as expected, some attended and others didn't. The minister began his brief speech with a general speech and talked about the danger of drugs, noting that no one knows why the minister spoke about the drugs problem in his meeting with the heads of mourning obsequies on the occasion of Ashura.

The minister continued his speech, and claimed that "Meeting people is an opportunity to exchange greetings and views, reinforcing togetherness and unity. We pray to God to always gather us in blessing and goodness." However, he and all those present know that no one felt reassured while listening to the minister and his brief speech.

At the end of his speech, the minister said, "the Kingdom has qualified Ashura chanters who are always ready to take up their religious responsibilities. Therefore, we don't need foreign preachers and chanters. Thus, the minister, who does not belong to the Shiite community, rudely decided that he is aware of the Shia citizens' needs for the commemoration of their religious events, presenting himself as an expert in Shiites and their conditions.

He then continued his speech saying "Bahrain isn't a religious tourism destination, and Ashura rituals are for mourners in Bahrain," stressing that "the spirituality and speciality of the occasion should be protected with respect to the nation's supreme interests."

The minister and his family are disturbed to see some Gulf Shiites wandering the streets of Manama and joining their brothers in the Ashura commemoration. He would rather see Manama full of Asians, street vendors, and losing its identity than see it full of Shiites.

Once again, the minister is looking for something that would tense the atmosphere. He knows that the presence of some Gulf Shiites in Bahrain is not religious tourism, nor is it a phenomenon that deserves to be highlighted in the first place, but he can't miss the occasion to show his sectarianism in public, and he certainly enjoys straining the atmosphere.

But the response of Bahraini Shiites to him will certainly not be during this protocol meeting, which will not change anything. He will receive the appropriate answer as every year, when tens of thousands are seen filling Manama, which is full of black banners and flags, chanting the eternal slogan of Imam Hussain "Far from us is disgrace".

Arabic Version