Security beefed up for Ashoora processions

The Interior Ministry has stepped up security measures for the peaceful conducting of Ashoora processions on Monday and Tuesday. This came as Interior Minister, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa received Chairman of the Jaffary Endowments Council, Yousif bin Saleh Al Saleh, members of the Hussainiya Processions Authority and some heads of Community Centres (mattams).

Held at the Public Security Officers Club, the meeting was part of the season’s co-operation and co-ordination to secure Ashoora season. The minister conveyed to the attendees the greetings of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.

He asserted the freedom of worship was protected for all, in accordance with the traditional values of the country and the law. Also, out of the principles of the reform project of HM the King. He said that the organising of religious events and occasions within secure environments and without legal violations contribute to strengthening the civilised image of Bahrain. He highlighted that the National Plan to Promote the Spirit of Belonging to the Nation and Reinforce the Values of Nationalism, and its various initiatives had strengthened loyalty values and methods to preserve the genuine traditions of loyal Bahrainis.

“There is a need to protect our national identity and avoid anything that could harm the civic peace and social fabric,” he added. The minister said that co-operation, co-ordination and partnership between concerned bodies of Ashoora season would help in marking the occasion in the required manner. The organisers of the religious rituals should control situations by not allowing the exploitation of mattams and Hussainiya processions for goals far from the main reason for the occasion, such as holding slogans or images of religious or political personalities or foreign groups.

He said that such violation is prohibited and won’t be allowed to take place. He asserted the role of the authorities and heads of mattams in the protection of the privacy of the places of worship and to perform violation-free rituals, in order to keep the religious occasions within their spiritual nature. He directed the security authorities to meet the requirements of mattams and processions and to take all required steps to protect their security and facilitate the traffic.

The attendees expressed thanks and appreciation to Interior Minister for his co-operation and dedication to providing all facilities for the success of the season, asserting the necessity to confront any attempt to exploit the holiness of the occasion, support average religious speech and fight sectarianism to promote love and respect between Bahrainis.

Mr Al Saleh lauded the directives of Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid to ensure success of Ashoora season. He praised the fruitful meeting held between the Interior Minister and members of the General Authority of Hussainiya Processions and presidents of community centres, affirming that the meeting was an opportunity to co-ordinate with the officials in charge of reviving Ashoora season.

He described that as an inherited approach characterising Bahrain since the antiquity within the framework of religious freedom, law and public order. The Jaffari Endowments President commended the tremendous efforts of the Interior Ministry to ensure success of Ashoora season, cater to the needs of the community centres and take all the necessary procedures to maintain security and facilitate traffic movement.

He stressed keenness of the Jafari Endowments Directorate and the Directorate of the Community Centres on success of Ashoora season thanks to the efforts and co-operation of official parties, including mainly the Interior Ministry