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Bahrain strips man of citizenship

Wam - He was charged with establishing organisations that follow "external religious political authority".

The Kingdom of Bahrain today revoked the citizenship of Isa Ahmed Qasim, after he was charged with establishing organisations that follow "external religious political authority", and for his role in creating an extremist sectarian environment and divisions in society.
The Bahraini News Agency, BNA, reported that according to a statement released by the Bahraini Ministry of Interior, "Qasim also adopted theocracy, encouraged sectarianism and violence, and through his preach and 'Fatwas' exploited the religious pulpit for political purposes to serve foreign interests. 
BNA added that "Qasim has kept his decisions and positions, which he dictated as religious rituals, dependent on his continuous communication with hostile foreign organiaations and parties. He also collected funds without complying with the provisions of the law."
The statement said that "In more than one occasion, Qasim has violated the supremacy of the law by issuing edicts (fatwas) that affected the elections and its processes. He influenced voters' decisions using religious sentiments. This extends to all aspects of public affairs, undermining the rights of the people and the rule of law. He also rallied many groups to prevent the issuance of the second section of the Family Law."
It continued, "Given that Qasim has acquired the Bahraini citizenship and did not preserve its rights and contributed to causing damage to the high interests of the state and undermined the obligation and loyalty to it, and in accordance with the provisions of the Bahraini Nationality law which stipulates in Article 10, Paragraph C "if he causes damage to the interest of the state or took action contrary to the duty or loyalty to it", and in reference to the presentation by the Minister of Interior, the cabinet has issued a decision to revoke the citizenship of Isa Qasim."
The ministry also emphasised that the country is moving ahead in confronting all parties of extremism and those subordinate to external political and religious authorities, stressing that safeguarding Bahrain's peace and security  in order to achieve a better life for citizens is its top priority, said BNA.