Draft:Isa Ahmed Qassim

Isa Ahmed Qassim
Name	Isa Ahmed Qassim
Other Names	{{{other_names}}}
Personal Details
Birth Place	Diraz region, Bahrain
Brith Date	1938 AD
Death Place	{{{death_place}}}
Death Date	{{{death_date}}}
Religion	Islam

Sheikh Isa Ahmed Qassim is one of the most influential religious and clerical figures in Bahrain and has engaged in many unity-oriented activities.

Biography

Ayatollah Haj Sheikh Isa Ahmed Qassim al-Dirazi al-Bahrani, known as Sheikh Isa Qassim, son of Ahmed, was born in 1938 AD in the "Diraz" region of Bahrain. His father was a pious fisherman who considered lawful sustenance the most important emphasis for raising his children, and this path led his son to always engage in teaching, preaching, and disseminating religious awareness through leading Friday and congregational prayers in Bahraini mosques and participating in religious and political gatherings and reviving Islamic occasions, until he became a symbol of a spiritual father and virtuous teacher for the elite class of Bahraini Shias.

Sheikh Qassim is also recognized as a source of emulation (Marja) for Shias in Bahrain. Sheikh Isa Qassim completed his preliminary studies in his birth village, "Diraz". His intelligence and talent amazed everyone; then, with his brother's guidance, he went to the city of Manama, the capital of Bahrain, to attend high school, and afterwards, he began his teaching in public schools in the early 1960s and taught until 1962 in the Badie school in Diraz village, which was the same school where he himself had studied.

Hawza Studies

Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim migrated to Holy Najaf in 1964 AD to continue studying Islamic sciences and continued his university studies at the Faculty of Jurisprudence and Principles of Holy Najaf, and benefited from great masters of the Hawza such as Martyr Ayatollah Mohammad Baqir al-Sadr. In the early 1990s AD, Sheikh Isa went to the holy city of Qom to complete his higher religious studies and continued his Hawza studies and religious sciences in the presence of masters such as Grand Ayatollahs: the late Ayatollah "Fazel Lankarani", Sayyid Mahmoud Hashemi, and Sayyid Kazem Haeri. He resided in Qom until 2001 AD and was engaged in studies, and in the same year, he left Qom intending to return to his homeland. The Sheikh's importance to Iranian scholars is also clearly evident, such that His Eminence Ayatollah Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, described Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim as "a star in the sky of Shiism" and said: "I am proud of the Sheikh's existence". Hojjat al-Islam wal-Muslimin Sheikh "Asad Qusayr", a member of the Office of Istifta of the Supreme Leader, who is responsible for transferring the istiftaat of His Eminence's Arabic-speaking followers, said regarding the Viewpoint of the Guardian of Muslim Affairs about Sheikh Qassim: "If I were in Bahrain, I would consider myself committed to the views and political positions of His Eminence Sheikh Isa, and if Sayyidna al-Qa'id is also asked, certainly his answer will be the same".

This importance led to him being invited by the Supreme Leader of the Revolution to the Assembly of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them), and Sheikh Isa Qassim became a member of the Assembly of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) and a representative of the Supreme Leader. Undoubtedly, his selection by the Supreme Leader of the Revolution for membership in the Assembly of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) is due to the Sheikh's preference over other scholars of Bahrain. Ayatollah Mesbah Yazdi also referred to the personality of Sheikh Isa Qassim in a memory of his trip to Bahrain and says: "Before my trip to Bahrain, I knew Sheikh Isa, who was a member of the Assembly of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) and representative of Ayatollah Khamenei (may his shade remain high).

My acquaintance with him goes back to the Assembly sessions and our presence there, and I never saw anything from him except knowledge, piety, and God-fearingness, and I am not as familiar with any of the scholars of Bahrain as I am with Sheikh Isa, and I cannot compare them with Sheikh Isa". Signatory Mesbah, referring to the selection of Sheikh Isa Qassim as a member of the Assembly of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) by the Leader of the Revolution, says: "Undoubtedly, his selection by the Supreme Leader of the Revolution for membership in the Assembly of Ahl al-Bayt (peace be upon them) is due to the Sheikh's preference over other scholars of Bahrain, and in a word, I must say I am a disciple and lover of him and always pray for good for that glorious Sheikh".

Ayatollah Mesbah also before traveling to Bahrain, had emphasized that I will only set foot in this country when Sheikh Isa gives me permission, and after the welcome and announcement of Sheikh Isa's readiness, he proceeded to travel to Bahrain.

Political and Social Activities

Sheikh Isa is also known as the spiritual father of the Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society. This society is one of the most important political organizations in Bahrain, which announced its existence on 7 November 2001 (16 Aban 1380 SH). This political structure is considered the largest political society in Bahrain, with membership reaching 35,000 people, and is recognized as the central Shia political movement in the country. The founders of this party were one hundred Shia scholars of Bahrain, such as Dr. "Saeed al-Shihabi", Sheikh "Ali Salman", Sheikh "Abdulamir al-Jamri", Professor "Abdulwahab Hussein", and Professor "Hassan Mushaima".

The organizational structure of Al-Wefaq is similar to the Supreme Shia Council of Lebanon, known as the Supreme Islamic Shia Council in Lebanon. Also, in 2004 CE, the Council of Shia Scholars was formed through the efforts of Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim and Ayatollah "Sayyid Abdullah al-Ghuraifi" to establish a Council of Scholars; a council that was tasked with taking action in sensitive times and raising its protests and recommendations. This council, which has always taken a stance against corruption, injustice, and discrimination, has also emphasized that "we are not seeking to obtain position and government, but rather we are seeking justice for all Bahraini citizens, whether Shia or Sunni".

Membership in Bahrain's Legislative Councils

Following the independence of Bahrain in 1971 CE, the main challenge for the ruling Al Khalifa family was gaining political legitimacy and consolidating the foundations of their power. Therefore, the ruling family attempted to provide the grounds for this legitimacy by drafting a constitution and holding parliamentary elections in the first half of the 1970s CE, motivated by legalizing their sovereignty and relative public participation. With the start of activities to establish the Bahrain Parliament, which intended to complete the drafting of the Bahrain Constitution after the formation of the country, the people of Bahrain asked Sheikh Isa Qassim to return to the country and nominate himself for membership in this parliament.

Sheikh Isa emphasized staying in Iraq and obtaining high degrees in jurisprudence, but the advice of Ayatollah Sadr changed his mind. Ayatollah Sayyid Muhammad Baqir al-Sadr told him: "If you stay in Iraq, you will become a great jurist, but when you return to Bahrain, there will no longer be a country for you to take responsibility for guiding". This serious emphasis by Ayatollah Sadr on Sheikh Isa compelled him to leave his studies in Najaf and return to his country. He participated in the parliamentary elections and in practice, Sheikh Isa managed to enter the Bahrain Parliament with the highest votes and, alongside the Islamist movement of the parliament, play an important role in drafting Islamic articles and clauses in the Bahrain Constitution.

In 1971 CE, he was nominated as a representative in the National Council and entered this council by obtaining the necessary votes, and until the dissolution of this council, he served the people of Bahrain sincerely and loyally with all his capacity. He also during that period, along with some religious figures such as Sheikh "Sulaiman Madani" and Sheikh "Abdulamir al-Jamri", took action to establish the Al-Taw'iyah Cultural Society in 1972 CE, which engaged in cultural activities in Bahrain.

However, it did not take long before the parliament's opposition to the approval of the "State Security Law" in 1975 CE led to the dissolution of the parliament by the Emir of Bahrain. According to this law, any action or stance against the government was considered opposition to national security, and the government was allowed to arrest suspected individuals quickly and imprison them without trial.

Establishment of Religious Parties and Organizations

Sheikh Isa Qassim, along with some other Bahraini scholars, has established parties and organizations to achieve his goals in the country of Bahrain. The most important of these centers are:

• Al-Taw'iyah Islamic Society
• Council of Scholars of Bahrain
• Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society: Sheikh Isa Qassim is considered the spiritual leader of Al-Wefaq Society, and its Secretary General, Sheikh Ali Salman, is one of his students.

In addition to the aforementioned Bahraini organizations, Sheikh Isa Qassim has been present and active in some institutions outside Bahrain, including the Assembly of Ahlulbayt.

Leading Friday Prayers

Sheikh Isa Qassim left Iran for Bahrain in 2001 CE. The news of his return to the country was met with the joy of the Bahraini people, such that a magnificent welcome occurred for him that had no precedent in Bahrain. Upon entering Bahrain, he took on the mission of teaching, awareness, and awakening the Bahraini Shias regarding the injustice and tyranny of the Al Khalifa.

Friday prayers led by him at the Imam Sadiq Mosque (peace be upon him) in the village of Diraz have always been among the most attended Friday prayers in Bahrain. His sermons in Friday prayers have always been one of the serious concerns of the Al Khalifa; because one word from the Sheikh is considered by the people as the stance of the Wali al-Amr and Marja, and can change the fate of the region in a short time. The main themes of Sheikh Isa Qassim's passionate sermons can be stated as follows:

Notes

• Creating cooperation and unity between Shia and Sunni
• Islamic and national unity and prevention of sectarian conflicts
• Vindication of rights and reclaiming dignity and freedom
• Defense of political prisoners
• Withdrawal of Al Saud forces from Bahrain and condemnation of their actions against the Bahraini revolution
• Protest against the desecration of mosques and holy sites
• People's commitment to the revolution and not abandoning their demands until final victory

.

The Friday of Response

Sheikh Isa Qassim's explicit positions against the Bahraini government resulted in the government's dissatisfaction, and the Bahraini Minister of Justice warned Sheikh Isa Qassim regarding his positions during Friday prayers and threatened to ban him from leading Friday prayers. In his letter to Sheikh Isa Qassim, the Bahraini Minister of Justice accused him of creating sedition in the country, encouraging the people, and violating the law, addressing him thus: You are not in a position to issue rulings concerning Muslims from the pulpit of the Messenger of God, accusing one group and labeling another as oppressors.

This threat prompted a reaction from the scholars and Shia of Bahrain. On 9 November 2012 (CE), all Friday prayers in Bahrain were officially suspended by the government, and despite obstacles created by the government on the route to the city of Al-Dairaz, and enduring beatings by state forces to lead Friday prayers, the Shia went to Al-Dairaz and performed Friday prayers led by Sheikh Isa Qassim. This day became known as Jumu'at al-Talbiyah in the course of the Bahraini people's resistance.

Leadership of the February 14 Uprising

It is the only Islamic Awakening revolution that has a single leadership which all opposition groups, from Al-Wefaq to the Youth Coalition of the Revolution, believe in, and thus, after the start of the revolution and despite military intervention by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, not only has the fire of the revolution not cooled and extinguished, but it becomes more inflamed day by day.

With the start of the Bahraini popular uprising on 14 February 2011, Sheikh Isa Qassim, as the spiritual leader of the Bahraini Al-Wefaq movement headed by Sheikh Ali Salman [one of the Bahraini opposition movements], undertook the leadership of the people of this country to clarify their peaceful protests against the injustice and oppression of the Al Khalifa and to demand their rightful rights from this tyrannical family. Whenever the Al Khalifa, with trickery and conspiracy, wished to extinguish the fire of their uprising by deceiving the people and under the pretext of holding negotiations and talks with the opposition, Sheikh Isa Qassim, alongside other scholars of the country, rendered this trick of the Al Khalifa futile through his clarifications.

"Labbaik ya Bahrain" Demonstrations

Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim announced his support for the demands and wishes of the people of this country among the Bahraini demonstrators.

The demonstrations of the people of Bahrain are held at the invitation of Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim and simultaneously with the anniversary of the occupation of Bahrain by Saudi military forces.

While Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain, called the protesters in the country a small group and had stated that a small number of Bahraini citizens would participate in these demonstrations, the demonstration, with the presence of more than 500,000 Bahrainis, proved that this revolution is the desire of various strata of the Bahraini people.

Bahraini demonstrators, chanting slogans, demanded the overthrow of the Al Khalifa regime, the immediate withdrawal of Saudi occupiers, and the freedom of political detainees.

The forces of the Al Khalifa regime, to disperse the demonstrators and as in the past, attacked demonstrators who intended to reach Pearl Square in Manama, especially near the "Al-Qadam" area.

Also, in Australia and Iraq, people demonstrated in support of the revolution of the people of Bahrain and demanded the immediate withdrawal of Saudi occupiers from this country. Sheikh Isa Qassim, in response to the statements of the King of Bahrain who had called the government opponents few, in the sermons of Friday prayer on 2 March 2012 (CE), invited all the people of Bahrain to active participation in the march on Friday, 9 March, under the title "Labbaik ya Bahrain". He announced in the sermon of the aforementioned Friday prayer that he would personally participate in this march. This demonstration was held on 9 March 2012 (CE), simultaneously with the anniversary of the intervention of Saudi Arabian military forces to confront Bahraini Shia protesters, with the presence of more than 500,000 people, which is considered significant relative to the total population of Bahrain. The demonstrators, chanting slogans, demanded a change of the Bahraini government and opposed the Al Khalifa rule over Bahrain. They also demanded the immediate withdrawal of Saudi Arabian military forces and the freedom of political detainees.

Actions of the Bahraini Government

In addition to threats by the Bahraini Minister of Justice, a large number of armed Bahraini government troops attacked the home of Sheikh Isa Qassim on 17 May 2013, breaking door locks, disrupting and destroying household items, and searching the premises. During this operation, the soldiers confined the women and children present in the house to a room. This action sparked widespread protests inside and outside Bahrain.

Revocation of Citizenship

Over the past six years, the Bahraini government has faced overt public protests. These peaceful protests are often aimed at enjoying the right to self-determination for the majority of the people of Bahrain. Sheikh Isa Qassim, one of the religious leaders of these protests, was arrested by the government and had his Bahraini citizenship revoked in 2016. This article, using an analytical-descriptive method, shows that citizenship has become an international issue, and according to international law, arbitrary revocation of citizenship is not permitted. Since in the case of Sheikh Isa Qassim, no terrorist charge has been proven against him and there is no fair process to prevent arbitrary revocation of citizenship in Bahraini laws, it appears that the Bahraini government has violated its international human rights obligations.

Commemoration

A ceremony honoring Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim, the spiritual leader and "Messiah of Bahrain", was held at Amirkabir University of Technology with the presence of Sheikh Deqqaq, his representative, Hassan Rahimpour Azghadi, professor of the seminary and university, Sheikh Mohammad Ali, son of Sheikh Isa Qassim, and Hojjat al-Islam Ansari, representative of Ayatollah Mohammad-Reza Nouri Hamedani.

At this ceremony, Rahimpour Azghadi spoke about the main origins of the Bahraini revolution, their real demands, and the infiltration of deviant currents in the Islamic world, stating: "Although there is religious discrimination against Shias, Shia scholars and Bahraini revolutionaries did not raise the issue of Shia and Sunni at all during the struggles, and it was the Bahraini rulers who entered into religious matters."

Subsequently, Hojjat al-Islam Ansari read the message of Ayatollah Nouri Hamedani in support of the people of Bahrain.

Also, at this ceremony, the "Messiah of Bahrain" was honored with plaques and gifts from the country's students.