Bahraini Nation After Democracy: Sheikh Qassim
In a recent message, Sheikh Qassim said reforms in Bahrain seem necessary in order to save the nation and country and prevent its collapse, al-Manar website reported.
He also described the popular movement in the Persian Gulf Arab country as fully legitimate.
Bahraini authorities stripped the cleric of his citizenship in June 2016. They later dissolved the Islamic Enlightenment Institution founded by Sheikh Qassim as well as the opposition al-Risala Islamic Association.
Anti-regime protesters have held demonstrations in Bahrain regularly since February 2011.
They are demanding that the Al Khalifa dynasty relinquish power and allow a just system representing all Bahrainis to be established.
Manama has gone to great lengths to clamp down on any sign of dissent. On March 14, 2011, troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were deployed to assist Bahrain in its crackdown.
Scores of people have lost their lives and hundreds of others sustained injuries or got arrested as a result of the crackdown.
