On the issue of Bahrain, what do the people of Bahrain want? The people of Bahrain say that every individual from among the nation should be given a vote in order to elect the government. A vote for each person. Well, are you not speaking about democracy? Are you not saying that you are the emblem of democracy? Are you not saying that you want to defend democracy? Very well, is there any kind of democracy which is clearer than this? Not only do they not give them the right to vote, but they also pressure, insult and humiliate the majority of the people. These people form the majority of the population. These people who are asserting their rights form 70, 80 percent of the population. The oppressive minority has the power in his hands and he is doing whatever he wants to them.
He even insults their holy beliefs. In the month of Muharram, they harassed those who took to the minbar, who delivered eulogies, who set up mourning banners and who performed rowzas. They even harassed someone who cursed Yazid – “All praise belongs to God” [speaking in Arabic]. Well, the reason why they are so shameless is that they are Yazidis. They defend Yazid. Should Yazid – who is the most disreputable person throughout the history of Islam – not be cursed? God’s curse be upon those who harass the Holy Prophet (s.w.a.) and his children and household. This is their behavior. This is Bahrain.
Ayatollah Khamenei in a meeting with Basij commanders, Nov 25, 2015
Take a look at Bahrain. The issue of Bahrain is not about a war between Shia and Sunni, rather the issue is about the tyrannical and foolish rule of an arrogant and selfish minority over a big majority. A small minority is ruling over 70, 80 percent of the people of Bahrain. Today too, they are harassing Sheikh Isa Qassem, who is a mujahid scholar. This shows their stupidity and foolishness! Sheikh Isa Qassem was a person who would have prevented the harsh and armed moves of the people as long as he could speak to them. He would have prevented them from doing so. They do not understand who they have confronted. They do not understand that attacking Sheikh Isa Qassem means removing the barrier in the way of enthusiastic and valorous youth of Bahrain. If these youth strike and attack the ruling system, they will not be able to silence them in any other way! When I say that their calculations are wrong, this is one example. This is a wrong calculation which is a result of failure to understand the condition of society, of the people and of their faith.
The path is the path of Islam. The path is the path of reliance on God. The path is the path of reliance on divine power. The path is the path of faith. The correct path is this. The people can remove all these obstacles with faith, with jihad and with firm determination. Thankfully, today we have many pious, mujahid and active individuals both in our country and in other countries. As you witness, today, people from different countries are resisting and standing up against the attacks launched by American and Israeli mercenaries despite the fact that they are not in their own countries – they are far away from their own countries.
Ayatollah Khamenei in a meeting with the families of the martyrs of the 7th of Tir and defenders of the Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) shrines, Jun 25, 2016
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