http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=240041
Bahraini forces continue to demolish mosques
By staff & agencies
MANAMA - Bahraini forces backed by Saudi troops have continued their efforts to
destroy Muslim holy sites in Bahrain, intensifying their crackdown on the
popular revolution in the Persian Gulf state.
Eyewitnesses say the forces razed another prayer hall to the ground on
Wednesday, Press TV reported.
Anti-government protesters have been holding peaceful demonstrations across
Bahrain since mid-February, calling for an end to the over 40-year rule of the
al-Khalifa dynasty.
Meanwhile, Bahraini authorities have referred 47 medics to a military court
after accusing them of abusing their posts to take part in anti-regime protests
that were crushed in March.
According to AFP, the defendants include 24 doctors and 23 nurses, the
kingdom's Information Affairs Authority (IAA) said in a statement late Tuesday,
adding that the military prosecution has already leveled several charges
against them.
Authorities set up a military court after King Hamad declared a state of
national safety, a lower level of emergency, a day before security forces
crushed a Shiite-dominated month-long protest demanding democratic reforms.
The medics have all worked at the Salmaniya Medical Complex in Manama, which
was stormed by security forces after they drove protesters on March 16 out of
the nearby Pearl Square -- the focal point of protests inspired by uprisings
that have swept the Arab world.
At the time, Bahraini state media accused medics who sympathized with the
protesters of occupying the SMC and turning it into a protest ground.
The 47 medics have been charged with "refusal to extend assistance to a person
in need, embezzlement of public funds, assault, assault that resulted in death,
unauthorized possession of weapons and ammunition, refusal to perform duties
and putting people's lives and health at risk," the IAA said.
++++
http://www.tehrantimes.com/index_View.asp?code=240036
News date: Thursday, May 5, 2011
Ayatollah criticizes grand mufti of S. Arabia for slandering Shias
Tehran Times Political Desk
TEHRAN -- Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi has written an open letter to
Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia Abdul-Azeez ibn Abdullaah Aal ash-Shaikh,
criticizing him for slandering Shia Muslims and practicing takfir, which means
accusing other Muslims of being unbelievers.
Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi, who is based in Qom, is one of the most
prominent Shia clerics in the world and is a marja taqlid, which is a
high-ranking Shia cleric who is regarded as a source of emulation.
In his letter, Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi stated that vilifying Muslims
and practicing takfir best serves the interests of the enemies of Islam,
particularly the United States and Israel.
In your recent remarks, which do not befit scholars, you have called Shias the
"enemies of Muslims" and have called on other Muslims to distance themselves
from them, the letter read.
This is not the first time that Wahhabi scholars have sown the seeds of discord
and delighted the enemies through making irrational statements, Grand Ayatollah
Makarem Shirazi added.
"You, the Wahhabi grand mufti, have forgotten that if it had not been for Shia
Muslims in Iran and Lebanon, Israel and the United States would have gained
domination over the entire Middle East. And it is not clear where your muftis
were and what they were doing at the time," he wrote.
"When Israel was massacring Muslims in Gaza, most of whom were Sunni, Shias in
Iran and other places supported them (the Gazan Muslims), and if it had not
been for their support, Israel would have continued (committing) atrocities,"
he noted.
"It would be better if we extend the hand of friendship to each other and think
about the progress and dignity of Islam and Muslims," he added.
Elsewhere in his letter, Grand Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi stated, "The enemies
of Islam want sectarian strife and want war to break out among Muslims so that
they can exploit the rich resources of the region.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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