Introduction

In a worrying escalation this year, Bahraini security forces — as in previous years — have resorted to the harshest forms of repression against Ashura rituals, carrying out a widespread campaign of summonses, arrests, fabricated charges, and the removal of religious symbols across various regions. Meanwhile, the government’s official narrative presents an idealized image of its handling of the Ashura season, claiming it “passed successfully” under its supervision. This contradiction between the media discourse and the reality on the ground reveals a clear double standard, as the authorities attempt to present themselves as protectors of religious freedom while, in reality, persecuting Shia Muslims for practicing their deeply rooted Ashura rituals.

Last year’s Ashura season witnessed a marked escalation in security restrictions, including widespread summonses and arrests, as well as strict bans on certain rituals, particularly in areas such as Duraz. The authorities pursued a policy of security siege, targeting preachers and eulogists, and imposing restrictions on the use of public spaces under security and regulatory pretexts. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior issued official statements hailing the season as a success and praising “peaceful coexistence” — a rhetoric starkly at odds with reality.

This year, we have once again seen — though at an even sharper and more escalating pace — a campaign of summonses and arrests that has targeted 60 citizens as of the time of writing this report. This is compounded by the unjustified use of violence by security forces, documented on camera, against a Bahraini citizen peacefully participating in a gathering in Duraz. Furthermore, the government continues its pattern of duality between official claims and actual violations, including restrictions on religious rituals, escalating waves of arrests and summonses of preachers, eulogists, and mourners, their subsequent detention, as well as the ongoing militarization and security sieges.

First: Assaults on Citizens and Investigation into the Duraz Incident

In a scene that recurs annually and grows increasingly oppressive, this year’s Ashura season, 1447 AH / 2025 AD, witnessed a fierce securitycampaign targeting Ashura manifestations across various Bahraini regions, as part of broader measures aimed at undermining the religious and cultural identity of the Shia community.

The security escalation began violently and blatantly on Tuesday, 25 June 2025, when security forces stormed Garden Street in Duraz to remove Ashura models and banners erected by residents in preparation for the holy month of Muharram. The forces used excessive repression against civilians who had gathered peacefully to protest this assault on their religious beliefs. Security forces fired live ammunition and rubber bullets, arrested several citizens, and subjected them to severe beatings.

Field data indicates that security forces stormed Duraz at dawn, accompanied by a bulldozer, to remove an artistic sculpture erected as part of the Ashura season. This took place despite an official permit allowing the sculptures and tents to remain in place until 13 Muharram. The youth responsible for the installations, along with local representatives, informed the commanding officer of the permit; however, their efforts were in vain. The officer acted with clear arrogance, disregarding municipal permits and prior agreements with local members of parliament, and refused to grant sufficient time for the proper removal of the sculptures. He even mocked their requests and arbitrarily reduced the removal deadline from one hour to merely half an hour.

As tensions escalated and residents sought to contain the situation, a mourning hall (Ma’tam) chief was called in to mediate with the officer. The chief assured him that the Northern Governor had prior knowledge and had approved the installations. Nevertheless, this did not deter the forces from further escalation. The Ma’tam chief was then summoned to the Budaiya Police Station, while the forces simultaneously began executing the attack in the street.

During the assault, documented by cameras and eyewitnesses, security forces used tear gas, sound bombs, and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. On the other side of the march, Hasan AlAnfooz — a young man walking alone and waving an Ashura banner — was attacked. Security forces approached him, surrounded him, and one of them struck him on the head with a sharp object. As shown in video footage circulating on social media, the victim fell to the ground, writhing and kicking his legs, bleeding heavily from his head. He was left unattended for several minutes before being dragged along the ground, during which he suffered a skull fracture and severe cerebral hemorrhage. He was transported by ambulance to Salmaniya Hospital’s emergency department in critical condition, where he underwent surgery to stop the bleeding.  After his condition became relatively stable, he was discharged on 3 July 2025, despite his inability to walk and difficulty speaking. On 10 July 2025, he was readmitted in critical condition and partially comatose. He was again transferred by ambulance to the hospital, where he remains to this day. Following a medical assessment, doctors decided to perform an urgent surgical operation on 14 July to reduce the likelihood of epileptic seizures.

Despite the video and audio documentation of this crime, the Ministry of Interior issued a brief statement justifying the incident as “legal action against road obstruction,” accusing the demonstrators of assaulting security forces and trespassing on public property. It acknowledged that a citizen had been injured in the incident but failed to hold the perpetrators accountable. On 10 July 2025, more than two weeks after the brutal assault on Hasan AlAnfooz in Duraz on the morning of 25 June, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) issued an official statement denying that security forces were responsible for the young man’s injury, claiming instead that it was caused by a stone thrown by a protester.

Although the statement came noticeably late, it offered nothing new beyond further obfuscation and misleading claims. It presented a one-sided narrative that directly contradicted documented video evidence and eyewitness testimonies, all of which confirmed that the assault on AlAnfooz occurred immediately after his arrest.

The SIU’s statement made no reference to the circumstances surrounding his arrest and ignored the existence of clear documentation of the brutal beating inflicted on the unarmed youth. This undermines the credibility of the investigation’s findings and reinforces the Bahraini government’s policy of impunity to protect perpetrators and cover up violations.

Second: Attacks on Ashura Manifestations

In the days following the start of the campaign, repression continued and expanded to include at least 15 Bahraini areas during the first week of Muharram. On 26 June, security forces, accompanied by municipal bulldozers, removed Husayni tents and sculptures in areas such as Barbar, prompting residents to take to the streets in angry protests to reject these practices.

On 27 June, Sitra Island — particularly the Kharjiya area — was subjected to similar attacks, with Ashura banners torn down. Banners were also confiscated in areas such as Sanabis, Al Bilad Al Qadeem, Sehla, Al Daih, and Al Juffair. The attacks continued on 28 and 29 June in the capital, Manama, as well as in other towns including Al Juffair, Sanabis, Abu Saiba, and Shakhoora, where coercive measures were used to eliminate all signs of mourning and religious rituals.

In early July, specifically on 1 July, when Ashura displays were removed from the village of Al Ghuraifa, in complete disregard for residents’ rights to practice their rituals. Meanwhile, the authorities sought to promote their image through formal visits to mourning halls (Ma’tams).

The symbolic targeting reached its peak on 4 July, when Ashura mourning displays were removed from the historic Al-Khawaja Mosque in the heart of Manama without any legal justification, despite the fact that these displays did not obstruct traffic or occupy public space. On 7 and 8 July, the crackdown continued with the removal of banners bearing images of Bahrain’s Shia spiritual leader, Sheikh Isa Qasim, as well as Ashura banners in the town of Aali. Nighttime attacks also took place in Abu Saiba, where banners were targeted, while arrests and the confiscation of all forms of mourning manifestations persisted. The attacks on Ashura manifestations continued even after the first ten days of Muharram had ended. Among these incidents, on 10 July, plainclothed officers were documented attacking Ashura banners bearing images of Sheikh Qasim in Al Musalla.

In the wake of the ongoing crackdown, residents across Bahrain escalated their responses through demonstrations and popular activities, expressing their anger and condemnation of the unjustified attacks. On 25 June 2025, the town of Duraz witnessed a large public gathering to mark the Ashura season, where residents raised banners at the site where the Ministry of Interior had destroyed the models, affirming their categorical rejection of the assault.

The following day, 26 June, a huge Ashura banner was raised in the town of Al Musalla, and a ceremony was held in the presence of clerics and large crowds. However, the next morning, citizens were shocked to find the banner missing, prompting them to denounce what they described as yet another theft and act of aggression.

Popular reactions continued with solidarity events in other areas, including Al Qurayyah, Nuwaidrat, Karbabad, and Barbar, denouncing religious persecution and demanding their right to express their religious and sectarian identities, just as others are permitted to do. On 9 July 2025, a march was held in Abu Saiba, embodying adherence to religious and national identity under oppressive conditions. On the eve of Ashura, popular marches in the capital, Manama, chanted slogans demanding the release of political prisoners and rejecting Bahrain’s normalization with Israel. These protests persist, alongside ongoing violations, including a march in Karzakan denouncing sectarian persecution and condemning the attacks on Ashura rituals, as well as the arrest and summoning of preachers, religious reciters, and Ma’tam administrators.

Third: Security Militarization and Systematic Repression

This year’s Ashura season in Bahrain witnessed an unprecedented security escalation, as authorities intensified their deployments across various areas as part of a systematic policy aimed at restricting the revival of religious rituals. This heightened militarization included raids, bans on preachers, attacks on religious symbols, the establishment of checkpoints, and strict surveillance of citizens and mourners.

•  A Provocative Move:

This heightened surveillance was embodied by the heavy security presence observed around Ma’tams and Husainiyas, and even within mourning processions. Security forces pursued participants, particularly those wearing headbands or shirts bearing images of religious symbols. Residents viewed this as a provocative move aimed at restricting freedoms rather than promoting order, as the authorities claimed. Our sources confirmed that the security presence around Ma’tams and mourning processions serves security purposes, not organizational ones, as officially asserted. They indicated that this militarization is intended to monitor religious practices and photograph participants wearing headbands and clothing bearing images and slogans.

• Other Manifestations of Mobilization:

In the town of Al Daih, security measures began on the morning of 25 June. Security forces stormed the town, and patrols roamed the streets amid a tense and provocative atmosphere that unsettled both event organizers and mourners. The town also witnessed a significant presence of the so-called community police, who monitored the movements of worshippers and prevented their gatherings.

In Duraz, authorities continued to impose a tight siege on the town since the start of the Ashura season, preventing several morning preachers from entering and thereby hindering the Husaini commemorative gatherings from proceeding normally.

In Ras Rumman, residents reported seeing plainclothes security personnel roaming the streets, provocatively monitoring mourning processions, along with community police stationed to control and prevent religious gatherings.

In a related development, authorities set up checkpoints at the entrances and exits of several cities, most notably the checkpoint at the Qadam roundabout, which appeared in early July. This reflects a policy of strict control over citizens’ movements during the mourning period.

The security militarization reached its peak on the eve of Ashura, corresponding to 5 July, when security forces deployed around most Shia towns in an attempt to intimidate participants and prevent mourning gatherings. The forces also stormed several towns, including Saar, on the day of Ashura, tearing down banners and religious symbols — behavior that residents viewed as a blatant violation of freedom of belief.

Fourth: A Widespread Campaign of Summonses and Arrests

This year’s month of Muharram witnessed a widespread campaign of summonses, arrests, and arbitrary detentions in Bahrain, affecting 60 citizens. The campaign targeted a broad range of participants in Ashura rituals, particularly religious figures, eulogists, and mourners. This reflects a clear escalation by the authorities against religious manifestations that embody the community’s identity and beliefs.

The campaign began with the summoning of several preachers known for their Ashura sermons. Sheikh Isa AlMoemen was arrested after being interrogated at Budaiya Police Station; following 14 days of arbitrary detention for commemorating Ashura gatherings, he was released on 13 July.

Sheikh Kadhem Darwish was also arrested for cursing Yazid and was held for 14 days before eventually being released. Sheikh Husain AbdulKarim AlJamri was arrested after leading a commemorative gathering, detained for a full week following interrogation, and on 15 July, his detention was renewed for an additional 14 days pending investigation. Among those who were summoned and arrested were Sayed Mohie AlMishaal, Sheikh Ali Rahma, Sheikh Maitham AlSalman, Sheikh Husain Sultan, Sheikh Hasan AlQassab, and Sheikh Mohamed Saleh AlQashaami.

Religious reciters were not spared from the recent wave of repression. Several were arrested or summoned over poems containing Ashura-related slogans or historical references. Among them were Mujtaba AlAbed and Sayed Mahmood AlMoosawi, whose detention was ordered for seven days following interrogation over the content of their poems. On 15 July, the Public Prosecution Office (PPO) extended AlAbed’s detention for an additional seven days and Sayed AlMoosawi’s for a further 15 days pending investigation. Other prominent reciters — including Mahdi Sahwan, Murtadha AlBasri, Yusuf AlQassab, Ali Hammadi, Alawi Abu Ghayeb, AbdulAmeer AlBaladi, and Jalal AlBaladi — were also summoned. Some faced intense security pressure and were coerced into signing pledges.

Authorities did not stop at persecuting performers; they expanded the campaign to include heads and administrators of Ma’tams, whose only role was organizing Ashura condolence ceremonies or displaying black banners and religious signs. Ma’tam administrators were summoned in areas such as Karzakan, Al Malikiya, Duraz, Al Dair, and Sanabis. All were questioned about activities conducted during Ashura, and some were coerced into signing pledges promising not to repeat what the authorities labeled as “violations.” Those summoned included the head of the Al Dair mourning committee, the administration of Fatima Al-Zahraa Mosque in Hamad Town, heads of Ma’tams in Sanabis, the head of Imam Al-Redha Ma’tam in Al Malikiya, and the head of Ansar Al-Adala Ma’tam in Duraz. Authorities also contacted owners of other Ma’tams, such as Ras Rumman and Ashbal Al-Zahraa, warning them against distributing headbands bearing religious slogans or wearing shirts featuring images of prominent Shia figures.

The crackdown also targeted individuals who expressed their religious identity. Several were arrested simply for wearing shirts bearing religious symbols or images. Among them were Murtadha AlNashaba and Husain AlNashaba, who were detained following a raid on their home in Al Naeem. Others — including Mohamed Ahmed Radhi, arrested for a religious slogan on his shirt; Husain Hilal Khalil, detained for hanging a religious flag; and Qasim Mohamed Yusuf AlSoori, who was summoned and disappeared for several days — were all released after being detained and interrogated for several days. Mohamed Anwar AlShahabi, meanwhile, was sentenced to one month in prison for wearing a shirt with an image.

Alarmingly, minors were not excluded. Several were summoned in villages such as Al Markh and Duraz and interrogated without the presence of guardians or legal counsel. Among them were Sayed Mohamed Hashem and Sayed Mahdi Maitham — a clear and serious violation of child rights.

• Ongoing Crackdown:

Summonses and investigations continued beyond the tenth of Muharram, targeting prominent religious and cultural figures. On 9 July, security forces summoned Sheikh Hasan AlQassab for questioning at Al Naeem Police Station, as well as Sheikh Mohamed Saleh AlQashaami, due to their participation in Ashura rituals. The administration of Atiq Ali Mosque in the capital, Manama, was also summoned and officially informed of the cancellation of a planned religious ceremony, which was set to feature well-known religious reciters and preachers. Authorities likewise prohibited an Ashura gathering at the Bin Khamees Ma’tam in Sanabis.

On 12 July, security forces removed Ashura banners from the main street in Al Qurayyah, and on the following day, removed symbols of mourning from Sitra Al Kharijya.

According to our sources, one of the most common tactics employed by authorities involved coercing clerics, reciters, preachers, and participants into signing written pledges. These pledges included clauses forbidding them from referencing historical figures, displaying symbolic images, or using slogans such as “Humiliation is not for us” or “Is there any supporter to resist?” — revealing a clear attempt to silence voices and confiscate popular religious conscience.

Fifth: Contradictions in Official Discourse

While Bahraini security forces imposed harsh restrictions on Ashura commemorations — through arrests, summonses, suppression of peaceful gatherings, and the removal of religious manifestations across various regions — the official government narrative projected an entirely different image. Authorities described the season as a success, conducted under “royal patronage,” exposing a sharp disconnect between state rhetoric and the reality on the ground.

The campaign began on 25 June, ahead of Ashura, when the Minister of Interior addressed Ma’tam heads and administrators, calling for Ashura to be an opportunity to demonstrate “sincere commitment and deep responsibility.” However, this calm rhetoric quickly crumbled in the face of the repressive security measures that were swiftly implemented.

Earlier, on 19 June, the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs issued a controversial statement regarding the Ashura commemoration. The statement relied on vague terms such as “following misleading rumors,” “calls lacking wisdom,” and “violating fundamental principles or inciting sedition.” It aimed to restrict public space and foster a climate of intimidation and self-censorship. Many viewed this as an attempt by the state to impose restrictions on the content and timing of the Husaini rituals, sparking widespread criticism and accusations of direct interference in religious freedoms.

In Manama and the surrounding areas, security forces issued verbal warnings to Ma’tams without any legal basis. This was soon followed by a clear escalation, as the Northern Governorate Police issued an official statement claiming that legal action had been taken in Duraz for alleged violations related to road obstructions. According to the security forces’ account, police officers were assaulted with stones; however, video evidence revealed the use of excessive force against citizens, the arrest of several individuals, and the blatant violation of religious symbols.

Official reactions included the Ministry of Interior hiding comments on its social media posts, in a clear attempt to suppress public anger and censor public opinion — a move that only further fueled popular discontent.

Meanwhile, some members and officials of the Bahraini Parliament and the Arab Parliament continued to praise the so-called royal patronage of the Ashura season, describing it as an embodiment of national cohesion. This rhetoric appeared completely disconnected from the reality unfolding on the streets.

Even as violations peaked, the Minister of Interior reiterated the “success” of the season and praised the security forces’ performance, issuing statements that directly contradicted human rights documentation, popular protests, and the ongoing repression.

Despite the widespread violations, the Ministry of Interior insists on portraying Bahrain as a “model of coexistence” and the Ashura season as a “successful event.” This official media discourse reflects a deliberate attempt to whitewash the government’s international image in the absence of genuine guarantees for freedom of religion and belief. At the same time, authorities practice a clear double standard — severely restricting Shia religious manifestations while turning a blind eye to sectarian incitement against Shias on social media, without holding perpetrators accountable.

These violations continue in the absence of any legal justification for banning rituals or targeting Ashura events under the pretexts of “lack of permission” or “road obstruction,” despite these practices being deeply rooted in the history of the Shia community and observed for hundreds of years. They also represent a clear violation of Article 22 of the Bahraini Constitution, which guarantees freedom of conscience and belief, and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Bahrain has ratified.

Recommendations

Behind the official congratulatory headlines celebrating the “success” of the Ashura season — and the accompanying praise for the efforts allegedly made to ensure its success and provide necessary resources — serious and systematic violations were documented throughout the holding of religious rituals. These actions represent a clear violation of freedom of belief and freedom of expression, as guaranteed by the Bahraini Constitution and international conventions.

In light of these developments, Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain (ADHRB) calls for:

• A serious and independent investigation into the assault on Hasan AlAnfooz, and the accountability of all those responsible — both those who gave the orders and those who carried them out.
• The immediate and unconditional release of all individuals detained over their participation in Ashura activities, along with compensation for the violations they suffered.
• An end to all forms of sectarian discrimination and restrictions on the religious freedoms of Shia citizens.
• The cancellation of provocative security measures and the militarization of religious spaces.
• Holding all those involved in violations of Shia religious freedoms during Ashura accountable.
• Urging the international community, including the UN Human Rights Council and relevant UN bodies, to take urgent measures to pressure the Bahraini government to respect its international obligations.

ADHRB holds the Bahraini Ministry of Interior fully and directly responsible for these systematic violations and demands that it end all forms of restrictions and attacks on Shia citizens, prosecute perpetrators, release detainees immediately, and drop all charges against them.

ADHRB further calls on the Government of Bahrain to uphold its own Constitution and the international covenants that protect freedom of religion and belief, most notably the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). ADHRB urges the government to end its discriminatory policies against Shia citizens and to guarantee their right to practice religious rituals freely and safely, without threat or repression.

The post Ashura 2025 in Bahrain: Religious Persecution and Restrictions on Freedom of Worship and Belief appeared first on Americans for Democracy & Human Rights in Bahrain.

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