Bahrain's Islamist MP calls for removal of sectarian banners

Manama: A Bahraini MP on Saturday called upon the government to remove banners that he said promoted disunity and stressed sectarian divisions.

Independent Islamist MP Shaikh Jassem Al Saeedi said that the banners put up by the Bahrain Enlightenment Society in several areas of the country were fuelling social and religious tension and the government had a duty to take them off the streets.

The large banners, allegedly quoting Shiite cleric Shaikh Eisa Ahmad Qasim, and signed by the Islamic Enlightenment Society read: "The battle of Karbala is still going on between the two sides in the present and in the future. It is being held within the soul, at home and in all areas of life and society. People will remain divided and they are either in the Hussain camp or in the Yazid camp. So choose your camp."

The battle of Karbala, a brief military battle in 680 AD in which Hussain, grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and his family were killed by an army sent by the Umayyad caliph Yazid, is regarded by Shiites, followers of Hussain, as a tragedy and an annual holy day of public mourning.

Yazid came to be regarded as a murderer, and his name has ever since been held accursed by Shiites.

"The banners and their emphasis on two warring camps are a flagrant call to sectarian division in Bahrain. The government has to act promptly and remove such aggressive messages," Al Saeedi said.

"The Enlightenment Society has also to explain the reasons behind its attitude."

Writing in a local daily, columnist Sawsan Al Shair yesterday said that the banner amounted to a declaration of war by calling upon Bahrainis to choose between the Sunni camp and the Shiite camp.

"This is a blatant violation of the constitution and a shocking incitement to sectarianism taking place months before historic elections in Bahrain and at a critical time when the region is dealing with the Iranian nuclear crisis," she wrote.

"The banners carry a dangerous message ordering Bahrainis to choose their camp. It is an attempt to provoke Sunnis into a counter-reaction that could lead to a dangerous situation," Al Shair wrote.