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Brigadier Al Thawadi

High security for processions in place in Bahrain

MANAMA, July 7, 2015

Police in Bahrain are on high alert with checkpoints and strict measures put in place as religious processions take place across the country.

Annual processions marking the death of Imam Ali, Prophet Mohammed’s cousin and fourth Islamic caliph, will continue until Wednesday (July 8) in several areas, but the largest gathering will be in Manama tonight (July 7), said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

It follows reports that Bahraini cleric Shaikh Turki Albinali, a senior figure in Islamic State (IS), used social media to warn that Bahrain would be targeted.

Capital Governorate Police Directorate general director Brigadier Khalid Mohammed Al Thawadi said additional police patrols have been dispatched since Sunday night to secure people attending processions.

“We will have normal measures in place for the processions, but of course we will have additional forces patrolling and operating checkpoints as part of our precautionary measures,” he told the GDN.

“We hope the day will pass by smoothly and that God will give us the strength to persevere. We are prepared for any eventuality.

“Part of the precautions is to restrict the number of cars that can go into the procession areas – I won’t say we’re banning cars completely, but we will strongly limit the number.

“There will be searches in terms of checkpoints and at some of the ma’tams, as we had with the mosques.

“We also have a full force from police, traffic police and community police as well as the civil defence and ambulances.

“We started the checkpoints on Sunday night, as that is the first day marking the death.

“I can’t reveal the number of checkpoints for security reasons, but there are more than enough spread around.”

Security was stepped up at mosques across Bahrain over the weekend with worshippers taking part in Friday prayers, despite a heightened threat from IS radicals.

No incidents were recorded on Friday with police out in full force and volunteers helping ensure people’s safety, the GDN earlier reported.

The measures followed a suicide bombing at a Shi’ite mosque in Kuwait on July 26, which killed 27 people and injured 227 others.

IS claimed responsibility for that attack, as well as suicide bombings at Shi’ite mosques in Saudi Arabia on May 22 and May 29 in which 24 people died.

“Friday passed without an incident and that shows that our police force did an excellent job, which was topped with volunteers’ contributions in helping organise prayers,” said Information Affairs Minister Isa Al Hammadi yesterday.

“It was a clear message that we are united in all aspects against terrorism at all events and festivities.

“(During processions) all locations and venues are secure by a strong police presence.

“People have every right to practise their rituals without fear and we are working to ensure that.”

Al Hammadi, who is also the official government spokesman, urged people to seek information from official sources to avoid spreading panic.

“Police channels are open to everyone and can be easily reached and things are being updated on social media networks,” he said at a Press conference held at the Gudaibiya Palace following yesterday’s Cabinet session.

“People should refrain from spreading false information that may cause panic and disturbance and put the community and the police under unnecessary pressure.

“Police will take action against anyone spreading wrong information or exaggerating incidents because it affects all the efforts being carried out to ensure people can do what they want without fear.”

He added that no violent incidents were recorded on the first day of processions.

However, the Interior Ministry confirmed an incident in Juffair, where a Saudi man was searched by residents because he was found lingering near a ma’tam on Sunday night.

He was arrested but released from custody after an investigation revealed he was just looking for a phone charger, said a ministry official. - TradeArabia News Service




Tags: Bahrain | Security | Alert | Police | procession |

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