Following are excerpts from a Friday sermon delivered by Bahraini Ayatollah Issa Qassem, which was posted on the Internet on January 20, 2012.
Multiple media outlets reported that in response to the sermon, crowds in Shi'ite towns attacked police with Molotov cocktails and rocks, killing one and injuring dozens.[1]The government condemned the sermon, as did the Salafist Al-Asala bloc, which accused Qassem of threatening civil peace and the lives of Bahrainis.[2] On January 27, Bahrainis held a rally to protest foreign interference in the country, and in solidarity with the country's security forces following Qassem's sermon.[3] Meanwhile, following the sermon opposition groups launched a campaign titled "The Rebel's Grip," seeking to expel the police and security personnel from Shi'ite towns in Bahrain.[4]
Issa Qassem: "The free women of this people suffer audacious affront to their honor, in violation of the human sense of modesty, in transgression of their personal liberties as well as the prohibition of Allah, and in disregard of the honor of women. The foreign, mercenary anti-riot forces that patrol the streets and alleys of our towns and villages, day and night, use obscene and vulgar words against chaste women and innocent girls. Yes, when facing a girl aged 9-10, or a woman aged 20-25, they use the most deplorable words and the most disgraceful terms."
Crowd: "Away with humiliation!"
Issa Qassem: "Away with humiliation!"
Crowd: "Away with humiliation!"
Issa Qassem: "Away with humiliation!
"We are willing to die, die, die for the sake of the honor of our women."
Crowd: "We are willing to die, die, die for the sake of the honor of our women.
"We will kneel before none but Allah.
"We will kneel before none but Allah.
"We will kneel before none but Allah."
Issa Qassem: "Whenever you encounter anyone transgressing the honor of a believing girl – crush him!"
Crowd: "Away with humiliation!"
Issa Qassem: "Away with humiliation!"
Crowd: "Away with humiliation!"
Issa Qassem: "Away with humiliation!"
Crowd: "Away with humiliation!"
Issa Qassem: "Away with humiliation!
"Yes, crush him!"
Crowd: "We respond to your call, oh Hussein!" […]
Endnotes:
[1] BBC (UK), January 25, 2012.
[2] Gulf Daily News (Bahrain), January 22, 2012.
[3] Gulf Daily News (Bahrain), January 27, 2012.
[4] Jerusalem Post, February 1, 2012.
