Manama: The Deputy Chief of Public Security asserted that the Interior Ministry respects all religious occasions and is keen on providing full security services during the holidays, stressing that those occasions should be marked without violence or disorder.
The Deputy Chief was responding to reports of the targeting of chanters. He said police had taken legal procedures against those suspected of engaging in illegal conduct. He stressed that violations of that sort are against the significance of Ashoora and should be rejected by everyone in order to protect the religious occasion.
On allegations that police had removed black banners and signs, he said that prior to the start of the Ashoora season, it was agreed that the banners and flags could safely be displayed, affirming that those areas were agreed-upon by everyone involved. Any banners or flags displayed outside the agreed upon areas were removed to prevent line-of-sight problems for drivers or other similar issues. Police also removed signs with slogans and photos unsuitable for Ashoora. The Deputy Chief added that the violations had been documented on police video.
He noted the importance and significance of Ashoora and said that the Ministry had engaged in more logistical meetings with organisers than in previous years to ensure that all religious events were safe and secure and that traffic could move without obstruction.
He said that the police presence in vital areas aims to protect and help Ashoora participants, noting that the police were confident that the heads of Hussainiya processions and Maatams would cooperate with the police in order to ensure a successful religious occasion.