Gov’t strips spiritual leader of nationality

Bahrain has stripped the Sunni-ruled kingdom’s most prominent Shia cleric of his citizenship. An interior ministry statement accused Sheikh Isa Qassim of using his position to “serve foreign interests” and promote “sectarianism and violence”. The cleric, who holds the religious rank of ayatollah, has backed protests led by the majority Shia community for greater civil […]

Bahrain has stripped the Sunni-ruled kingdom’s most prominent Shia cleric of his citizenship.
An interior ministry statement accused Sheikh Isa Qassim of using his position to “serve foreign interests” and promote “sectarianism and violence”.
The cleric, who holds the religious rank of ayatollah, has backed protests led by the majority Shia community for greater civil and political rights.
A senior Iranian figure has condemned the action against the cleric. It comes days after Bahrain’s government suspended the leading Shia opposition grouping.