Visit to shrine irks residents of Askar
Manama : A visit by a state official to an abandoned island, which is claimed to have the grave of a religious figure, is feared to stir “sectarian strife” in the Kingdom. This comes as a video emerged on YouTube on Wednesday showing Jaffaria Waqf Directorate (JWD) of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry Chairman Sheikh Abdulmohsen Al Asfoor visiting a shrine on an island near Askar on the southeast coasts of the island.
The four-minute long video showed Shaikh Al Asfoor along with a delegation travelling to the island on a boat and inspecting the shrine. The video gained more than 11, 000 views in less than two days.
As the authenticity of the information stating that religious figure Ibrahim Al Ashtar is buried on the island, the area’s representative Theyab Al Nuaimi criticised the visit and demanded Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa to interfere and “stop this policy of infringement and placing hands on the territory of the state with illegal arguments”.
Al Nuaimi said in a press statement that he had worked to prevent rebuilding the shrine on the island when he was a member of Southern Area Municipal Council before he became an MP more than four years ago.
“What JWD has done is unacceptable and would stir sectarian strife between the people of Bahrain. Having media coverage of the visit is also illegal, as the spot is located near security facilities,” Al Nuaimi said, adding that the residents of Askar are unhappy with the visit and that he will raise the matter in the House.
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