Al-Wefaq Calls for Reopening of Pilgrimage Site in Bahrain

TEHRAN (IQNA) – Bahrain’s main opposition group, the al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, called for the reopening of a pilgrimage site in the country that has been closed under the pretext of repair.

The Manama regime has closed the Sasa’a bin Suhan shrine in Askar, south of Manama, saying it is worn out and requires repair.

Al-Wefaq said the frequent attacks on the religious site have damaged the building.

It said the holy site has a special status for Muslims in Bahrain and other countries and preventing visits to the site is an insult to them.

Sasa’a bin Suhan was a companion of Imam Ali (AS), the first Shia Imam, and his mausoleum is one of the oldest Islamic heritage sites in Bahrain.

There have been repeated systematic attacks carried out on the shrine with unannounced official support.

Bahraini activists believe that the rulers’ refusal to reopen the shrine is aimed at preventing the restoration of Shia religious sites.

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