BAHRAIN SHIA CLERIC AND OPPOSITION BREAKDOWN AND CONNECTIONS

BAHRAIN SHIA CLERIC AND OPPOSITION BREAKDOWN AND CONNECTIONS TO IRAN 8. 31. 11 Ashley

Shia Opposition Flow Chart Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain* 1970 s Bahrain Islamic Freedom* 1990 s Al Amal Early 2000 s Wefaq* 2001 Popular Front for the Liberation of Bahrain 1990 s Wa’ad Early 2000 s Al Haq* 2005 Wafa* 2009 *Iranian Connections/Influence

Bahrain Islamic Freedom Movement (BFM) Part of “Coalition For A Republic” A London based Bahraini opposition group with a headquarters in a north London mosque BFM played a lead role in the 1990 s uprising in Bahrain Under the 2001 reforms all exiles were invited to return to Bahrain to participate in the political process. All of BMF’s members have received political amnesties and most have returned to Bahrain to participate in the political process, but several remain in London where they hold the status of asylum seekers.

Bahrain Islamic Freedom Movement Said Shehabi* - Leader Shehabi was formerly a member of Wefaq but resigned along with several other members in Sept. 2005 after it made the decision to end its boycott on parliamentary elections. Shehabi is a columnist with the London based Arab newspaper, Al Quds Al Arabi. He was arrested during the recent unrest and serves a life sentence along with Mushiama and is in strong opposition to the constitution, not so much the regime, but rather the oppressive constitution, which the regime backs. He does however greatly blame the regime for the way they treated the Shias during the unrest. During his testimony he publicly denied being associated with Iran. He seems to have very close ties to Mushiama.

Al Wefaq Wefaq was founded in 2001 Calls for Bahraini PM to step down and for the regime to grant the Shiites a greater share of political power. Demand a proper constitutional monarchy in which the PM would be elected, and where the elected chamber would have exclusive legislative and regulatory powers. Most recently Wefaq has said “The parliament has to have full authority. At the moment the shoura council shares power with the parliament, there’s no need for that. We also need the redrawing of the electoral districts. One person, one vote is not applicable in Bahrain. ” Wefaq’s first deputy speaker, Khaleel Marzooq has been supported by Sunni scholars, too, like Ahmed al-Zain from Lebanon. Sheikh Ahmad al-Zein, the Sunni head of the board of trustees of the Muslim Scholars coalition, said that the demands of the Bahraini protesters were legitimate but were shocked by the level of the unjustified response by the Bahraini government which involved unacceptable collusion by Arab human rights groups.

Al Wefaq Sheikh Ali Salman – Leader Salman is a mid-level Shia cleric who is an adherent of Twelver Shi’ism which is prevalent in Iran, Azerbaijan, Iraq and Lebanon. He was educated in Qom, Iran and in 1995 he was exiled by Bahrain to Dubai for leading a popular campaign demanding the reinstatement of the constitution and the restoration of the parliament. (His demands are largely similar to those of Wefaq today). He continued his opp. movement from London and was associated with the Bahrain Freedom Movement (see bullet). Salman returned to Bahrain in 2001 under amnesty. Salman is calling for U. S. help to urge Saudi Arabia to withdraw its forces. He also called on Iran not to meddle in Bahraini affairs. He has stated Wefaq does not want an Iran-style theocracy, he just wants a civil state.

Qassim is Bahrain’s most popular Shia cleric and exercises considerable Al Wefaq (cont. ) influence over Wefaq. He studied at Najaf under teachers: Abdul Amir al-Jamri and Abdullah Al Guraifi and Abduallah al-Madani and Abbas Al-Rayes. Jamri, Guraifi, Qassim and Rayes believed similar things and even lobby for the same demands from the government and Parliament. Qassim, Jamiri, Madani, and Rayes were also part of a ‘religious bloc’ formed in 1972. Abdulamir Al Jamri- was the 'spiritual leader' of Bahrain's Twelver � Abdul Amir Al Jamri (Teacher in Najaf) Fadhel Al-Lankarani was born in Qom and was one of the leading Qassim acquired his status of Ayatollah during his 1990 s exile in Qom. Kadhem Al-Haeri was a top leader of Al-Da’wa (Shia political party in Iraq) and Shi'a population and the 1990 s Intifada. Jamri was born in Bahrain and studied supporters for Iran’s Islamic revolution. He was very anti-Shah regime and Bahrain's preeminent Shia cleric and a member of the 1973 parliament, Isa Qassim was exiled to Qum Iran because of it. Haeri is considered as the successor to the � Abdullah Al Guraifi (Teacher in Najaf) in Najaf and in 1973 al-Jamri became a member of Bahrain's parliament, the Abdullah Al Guraifi is a very well-respected Shia cleric. Guraifi studied under Ayatollah Imam Ruhollah Khomeini and was VERY close to took no public position on the opposition's decision to boycott the 2002 parliamentary uncle of Muqtada al-Sadr and serves as the advisor to to Muqtada al-Sadr National Assembly of Bahrain, until the parliament was dissolved in August praised any genuine call for dialogue, but warned that it would fail if there is Khomeini (led the movement against the Shah and was the Supreme leader of � Abduallah al-Madani (Teacher in Najaf) elections. 1972 Qassim was elected to the Constituent assembly in Iraq where he Abduallah al-Madani does not believe the same things as the others 1975. In 1992, al-Jamri joined forces with Islamists, liberals and leftists to draft no "valid ground and conditions" for talks and that the protesters should move Iran after the fall of the Shah) and most importantly he believed firmly in Ve. F greatly influenced the incorporation of parts of Islamic sharia in the 1973 constitution. who studied in Nafaj. Madani attributes the sectarian division between and submit a petition to the ruler of Bahrain calling for restoration of the � Abbas Al-Rayes (Teacher in Najaf) under the banner of unity and cohesion. In 1973 Qassim was elected a member of Bahrain’s Parliament until it was dissolved in Shia and Sunni as the fault of Iran and said Iran is behind all the crisis parliament and reinstatement of the suspended constitution. In 1994, he Guraifi and Qassim still support each other and in 2009 Qassim, 1975. In the run-up to the 2006 parliamentary elections, however, he publicly in Bahrain. � Mahmood Al-Qashimi (Teacher in Qom) helped re-launch another petition, signed by 25, 000 Bahraini citizens calling for Guraifi and the other chairmen for the Ulama council signed a public proclaimed his strong support for participation. Qassim refers for guidance to Grand restoration of parliament and reinstatement of suspended constitution. Died in statement calling for the government to stop its threats to close down the Ayatollah in Najaf, who also supports Bahraini Shia participation in parliament. �Sistani Kadhem Al-Haeri* (Teacher in Qom) 2006. He was one of the most popular Shia cleric and opp. leaders during the school, because it has been interrupting studies and work flow This support from its Marjaiya enabled Wifaq to engage with the government and run unrest in the 90 s. Abbas Al-Rayes after eight years in Najaf Sharif returned to his home country � Fadhel Al-Lankarani* (Teacher in Qom) candidates, but also led Mushaima and other rejectionists to split from Wifaq and of Bahrain when the situation between Iraq and Iran worsened. Rayes was an establish Haq. It also stoked differences within the Ulama Council which continue to elected a member of the National Council of Bahrain after the country's this day. independence in 1970, a deputy of the western region of Bahrain, having won Qassim also studied in Qom, Iran with Mahmood Al-Qashimi, Kadhem Alan overwhelming majority, and also helped establish the Islamic Enlightenment Haeri. Qassim is the founding chairman of the Ulama council. Qassim has ties to Society Baldraz. He was big into poetry and science Iraq and to Iran due to his studies in Qom and Najaf. Sheikh Isa Qassim* – Religious Leader

Al Haq Hassan Mushaima, former hard-line member of Wefaq, formed Al Haq in Nov. 2005 Haq's membership is overwhelmingly Shia, but it has included a few Sunnis in its leadership, like former leftist politician Ali Rabea and iconic cleric Isa Jowder (signed a petition ‘ 92 calling for restoration of Constitution) Haq is unregistered and opposed the 2002 constitution, and calls for the toppling of the regime Haq competes with Wefaq for Shia support Haq was unable to immediately generate support from the clerical establishment, Musheima attempted to take the mantle of religious guide for himself and lacking formal clerical training, he convinced few that he had religious credentials. Instead, Haq relies on the passion of its radical message and its ability to put on the streets youths who are small in number but ready to skirmish with the police whenever necessary. Part of “Coalition For A Republic”

Al Haq Ayatollah Mirza Jawad Tabrizi was an Iranian Twelver Shi'a Marja. He was born in Tabriz, Iran in 1926, at 22 he moved to Hassan Mushaima* –Leader Qom and later to Najaf, Iraq until he was deported. He then moved back to Qom and Sheikh Mohammed Sanad was born in Bahrain and is not a member of the Sheikh Mohammad Sanad* –Religious Leader was a teacher in the Hawza of Qom until Ulama Council, but generally agrees with its public statements. After completing Hashim Alamla studied in Tehran in science of jurisprudence, and Ayatollah Hossein Vahid Khorasani born January 1, 1921 is an � Studied in Qom and was taught by: his death in 2006. Most importantly he high school at 16 he migrated to study in London and earned a bachelor's degree in assets, literature, philosophy, and theology. After completing this preliminary Iranian Twelver Shia Marja. He was born in Iran and moved to Najaf and engineering. In 1980 he went to study religion in Qom. And more recently flew to Mushiama is believed to be in close contact with the Iranian regime, he Hussein Waheed Khorasani* opposes Ve. F. stage, high in Tehran, he went to Qom in the year to attend the lessons of studied in seminaries of Grand Ayatollah Khoei until he moved back to Iran in Najaf, where he lived and taught in the Mosque of 'Imraan ibn Shahin. His relative played a lead role in escalating the protests and provoking clashes between Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Abdul Karim Haeri, and Ayatollah Kouhcomera, and 1972 and currently resides and teaches in the Seminary of Qom, Iran. Mohammad Reza Alkalpiqaniy influence on the Shi'a community is low because he only spends two months a year Sunni security forces and Shia in an effort to brand the conflict in Bahrain as a Ayatollah Shah Abadi, and Ayatollah Muhammad Ali al-Qomi, and remained Khorasani has MUCH influence among other clerics in Iran. Mohammad Husseini al Rouhaney in Bahrain; the rest of his time he spends teaching advanced students in Qom. He purely sectarian affair. Mushaima was one among several activists who authored there for six years, and won on the degree of diligence, have supported the He is also the father in law of Sadeq Larijani. Ayatollah Sadegh Jawad Tabrizi comes from a well-known Manama family and politically, he opposes the a document saying that they wanted to do away with the monarchy and topple diligence of Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Abdul Karim Haeri and Ayatollah Ardeshir Larijani is an Iranian cleric, politician and current head of the judicial government. In 2002, he called for the U. N. to oversee the drafting of Bahrain's new the regime in favor of a republic. Mushaima was a founding, hard-line member Mohammad Hajj. He then traveled to Najaf, to attend the lessons of Ayatollah system of Iran. Larijani served as one of the 12 members of the Guardian Hashim Alamla constitution out of distrust of the GOB's intentions. He has publicly questioned the of Wifaq, left to found Haq in November 2005. He still wants a toppling of the Abu al-Hasan Isfahani, and Grand Ayatollah Sheik Mohammed Hussein Council of the Islamic Republic of Iran for eight years. Described as Yahya Al Ansari Shirazi legitimacy of the Al Khalifa family's rule. Haq, looks to him as its Marja', and he in regime. He returned from being exiled in Feb 2011 after first stopping in Lebanon. Alnaúana, and Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Zia Iraqi debt, and others. After "relatively junior" or "inexperienced cleric" with "close ties to Iran's military turn refers to senior clerics in Qom. Sanad and Qassim take differing approaches to Now he is in prison and sentenced to life. spending thirty years in Najaf returned to Iran. and intelligence agencies", he was appointed head of the judicial system of Abduljalil al Moqdad –Former Religious Leader (now politics. Iran by supreme leader Ali Khamenei in 2009. Larijani condemned protesters leader of Wafa) Sanad was arrested in Dec 2005 for ‘inciting the public against the regime’ and those who expressed doubts in the 2009 presidential election results, and was arrested right after he got off the plane from Iran. Political observers calling the protests as "illegal" and any doubts "baseless". He is the brother attributed the reasons for the detention to a speech delivered in the village of of Ali Larijani, the speaker of the Iranian parliament. He is a well-known critic Sanabis. of ex-president Mohammad Khatami and his reforms.

Wafa As opposed to al Haq, Wafa, has the public blessing of senior Shia cleric, Abduljalil Al Maqdad. Thus, while Wafa's following is at present still small, it had the potential at first to appeal to more pious Shia Not licensed from the government Stemmed from Haq and became a new party in Feb 2009 Want to overturn the monarchy and refuse to participate in electoral politics. Wafa pointedly recruits only among Shia. Part of “Coalition For A Republic”

Wafa Abdulwahab Hussain's stature and credibility as a conservative leader is much greater than Musheima's. Hussain was higher up in the Shia opposition of the 1990 s, when he had the ear of the late opposition clerical leader Abdulamir Al Jamri in a way that Musheima never did. Hussain also has a reputation as a thinker. In Sheikh Isa Al-Joder (a Sunni religious scholar is a Sunni cleric and nationalist political Mr. Mohammed Jaber Sabah (an ex-MP, a nationalist and a Sunni personality, leader Al Moqdad was born in Bilad Al Qadeem and continues to lead prayers there. November 1992, Hussain and Al Jamri and 4 others, sponsored a petition calling for activist in Bahrain. He is a member of the Haq Movement. He was a signatory to both of National Democratic Assembly (NDA), an opposition grouping closely linked to the Moqdad refers to Najaf for guidance. Shi'a started talking about him in 2006, the same Abdulamir Al Jamri- was the 'spiritual leader' of Bahrain's Dr. Abdul Latif Al-Mahmood is a university professor and a leading Sunni figure and the restoration of the constitution and the dissolved parliament as stated in the 1992 and the 1994 petitions calling on then Amir to reinstate the authority of the � Abdulamir Al Jamri (Hussein gained Jamri’s trust during 1990 s Iraqi Baath party, called for the suspension of the naturalization policy, which it year that Haq split from Wifaq. Much of his influence derives from his humble Twelver Shi'a population and the 1990 s Intifada. Jamri was born in leader of National Unity Gathering. Most recently he called for the PM to step down constitution. The petition was signed by hundreds of leading personalities from all 1973 elected parliament (dissolved by Amiri decree in 1975). Al Joder was briefly claimed was unfair for Bahrainis by allowing foreign workers to compete with them for beginnings and continued closeness to the poor. Al Moqdad is also close to Sheikh unrest) Bahrain and studied in Najaf and in 1973 al-Jamri became a member of after the PM deals with the Shia unrest. Al Mahmood is critical of Wefaq and accuses it sections and tendencies in Bahrain’s society. The petition was submitted to the Amir in arrested by the government during the 1990 s Uprising. He had previously been available jobs. Participated in National Dialogue) Hussein Najati, and replaces him as Imam in Muharraq when he travels. Al Moqdad (Signers of ‘ 92 petition for the restoration of the constitution and the Bahrain's parliament, the National Assembly of Bahrain, until the November, the Amir disregarded it. of being involved with Wefaq. Sheikh Hussein Najati is the other Faqih, is not a member of the Ulama arrested for his political activities in 1957, 1963 and 1968. He participated in the distrusts the government and considers Wifaq ineffective. The Shi'a street believes dissolved parliament as stated in the constitution) parliament was dissolved in August 1975. In 1992, al-Jamri joined Hussain remained in Bahrain rather than going to exile - which led to his Council, but generally agrees with its public statements. Unlike many of the other National Dialogue), that Al Moqdad handles much of the money Bahrainis send to clerics abroad. forces with Islamists, liberals and leftists to draft and submit a petition arrest in 1995 and again in 1996 - he was released by King Hamad when he assumed Dr. Abdul Latif Al-Mahmood clerics on this list, Najati's influence does not derive from his family, but instead from Although he helped found the Ulama Council in 2004, Maqdad resigned from to the ruler of Bahrain calling for restoration of the parliament and the throne in 2000. Although the late Shaikh Abdulamir Al Jamri was the religious his status as a Faqih. He is in his early fifties and is an Ajmi -- a Bahraini Shi'a of the council in 2005 when he publicly disagreed with Wifaq's decision, supported by Mr. Mohammed Jaber Sabah reinstatement of the suspended constitution. leader of the Shia oppositionists at the time, Hussain's admirers claim he was the Persian origin. Najati started his studies in Najaf, but transferred to Qom. He still refers Shaikh Isa Qasim, to run in the 2006 parliamentary elections. Maqdad publicly In 1994, he helped re-launch another petition, signed by thinker behind the unrest. Hussain coordinated activities with the exiles in London. to Najaf for guidance. When he returned to Bahrain in 2002, he was relatively Sheikh Isa Al-Joder criticized the Qassim-led Ulama Council in 2007 for its silence regarding issues like 25, 000 Bahraini citizens calling for restoration of parliament and With Hassan Mushaima, Hussain acted as a trusted interlocutor between the unknown. He supported the government, and had several audiences with the King. In discrimination and detainees, and some religious issues. Mr. Hamid Sangoor reinstatement of suspended constitution. Died in 2006. He was one of Government of Bahrain and the exiles when King Hamad came to power. Hussain 2006 Najati began criticizing the government for allegedly betraying King Hamad's Maqdad is a prominent Shia cleric who runs his own Hawza (Shia seminary). the most popular Shia cleric and opp. leaders during the unrest in the worked hard to get Shia street support for the 2001 National Charter, and chaired the political reform project. He has called for the government to amend the constitution His admirers call him "Wise Mentor" and "the pious one. ” Maqdad's brother, 90 s. committee that founded Wifaq in 2001. When King Hamad promulgated the and improve the standard of living for all Bahrainis. Najati preaches on Muharraq Mohammed Habib Maqdad, was arrested with Mushaima on January 26 for his role in constitution in 2002, Hussain himself convinced many of the opposition societies to island an alleged terrorist plot and accusations of terror finance. boycott the parliamentary elections that year. When, in 2006, Wifaq decided to run Abdul Jalil Al Moqdad was brought into Al Grain Prison and arrested on 27 th � Sheikh Hussein Najati parliamentary candidates, Hussain resigned from the society and stopped making Hamid Sangoor (a lawyer, a nationalist and Shia personality). March 2011 along with his brother and son (15 years). Abdul Jalil Radhi Al Moqdad, public statements. age: 51, sentence: life. Abdulwahab Hussein* – Leader Sheikh Abduljalil Al Moqdad* – Religious Leader

Wa’ad Socialist/leftist party. Wa’ad desires a peaceful rotation of power and a secular, liberal state Wa’ad consists of primarily middle class professionals, male and female, from both sects. Wa’ad boycotted the 2002 elections and constitution and supports a new family law. Sharif led a Wa’ad delegation to Lebanon in late July 2008 where he met and publically praised Hizballah fighter Samir Al Qantar. (Al Qantar was jailed for 30 years for killing 4 soldiers and kidnapping and murdering an Israeli soldier. ) Wa’ad was banned by the government until June 20 and previously called for the removal of the Khalifas from power, but now the govt. is letting them participate and now Wa’ad they no longer want a removal of the regime. Wa'ad seeks a more representative parliament with legislative powers that are not weakened by an upper Shura council appointed by the king. Radhi al-Mousawi is leading al Wa'ad in Ibrahim Sharif's absence. They announced June 23 that they will nominates 3 candidates for Parliament elections, Ebrahim Sharif, board member Sami Seyadi and Munira Fakhro. However, Aug 10 Wa’ad announced it will not

Wa’ad Ibrahim Sharif Al-Sayed - Leader Sharif became the leader in 2006 when he took over for Abdul-Rahman Al Nuaimi when the group changed its name to Wa’ad from National Democratic Action Society. He was formerly associated with the underground and leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Bahrain and spent many years in exile. Popular Front for the Liberation of Bahrain was an underground political party in Bahrain with a leftist Marxist trend and origins from the Arab Nationalist Movement (ANM). ANM was revolutionary and committed to socialism and secularism and anti-Zionist. Sharif was also arrested March 17 by the govt. for his role in the unrest in which he called for genuine democratic reform.

Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain Gave birth to the non-violent Al Amal A Shia resistance group active from the 1970 s to the 1990 s, advocated democracy in Bahrain and the overthrow of the Khalifa family. It was responsible for the failed 1981 coup attempt inspired by the Iranian revolution and it is also reported that Iran helped in the coup attempt. Several of its leaders were jailed throughout the 1990 s and its influence in Bahraini politics steadily waned until it became stale. Carried out a series of indiscriminate bomb attacks on civilian targets in Bahrain in the 1990 s.

Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain Hojjat ol-Eslam Hadi al-Madrasi* – Leader Abdulhadi Al Khawaja is the president of Bahrain Centre for Human (Iranian cleric) Rights who is described by the Centre in an article it has published on its website as an “admirer of Ayatollah Khomeini” (follower of Ve. F). Also, the brother Salah Al Abdulhadi Al Khawaja* – Former Leader Khawaja, who is the Vice President of the Islamic Action Society (Amal); Layla Dashti sits on the board of both the BCHR and Amal. Other members of the Centre Madrasi has also been blocking negotiations between the opposition are on record of stating their admiration for Iranian spiritual leader Ayatollah and the government, putting moderate Shia on the defensive by stoking Khomeini and several members were exiled in Iran. The Centre’s Zainab Al sectarian tensions and demanding no less than the overthrow of the Sunni Khawaja, (who is Abdulhadi’s daughter), has used her blog to describe Khomeini, monarchy. as a ‘great man’ and the ‘reason for the [Iranian] revolution’s success. ’ In 2006, Zahra Al Muradi (member of BCHR), stood (unsuccessfully) for the Islamic Action Society on a platform to run Bahrain according to Sharia Law. Ms Muradi, despite being a member of Amal, is also a member of Al Wefaq. Salah Al Khawaja, brother of Abdulhadi Al Khawaja, was formerly the Vice President of the Islamic Action Society. Abdulhadi Al Khawaja was arrested in September 2004 for calling for the death of the country’s Prime Minister, at a public seminar. In 2005 a court sentenced Al Khawaja to one year in prison on charges which included “inciting

Al ‘Amal (Islamic Action Society) Non-violent heir to Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain Amal members are often referred to as "Shirazis" for their alleged ties to Ayatollah Muhammad Al-Shirazi A number of Amal's supporters did prison time while Amal joined Wifaq's boycott of the 2002 parliamentary elections. Al Mahfouth founded Amal in 2002, but refused to register the society until 2005. Amal has no seats in parliament, and loses influence in the Shi'a community to Wifaq. Amal did not attend the National Dialogue and participated in demonstrations against the government which led to them being banned along with Wefaq

Al ‘Amal (Islamic Action Society) Mohammed Ali Al Mahfouth - Leader Mohammed Ali Al Mahfouth is identified with the followers in Bahrain of the late Ayatallah Shirazi. A number of Bahrain's Shirazis were jailed for sedition in the 1990 s; Al Mahfouth spent much of the nineties in Damascus calling for the overthrow of the Al-Khalifas. He and his followers were eventually pardoned. The Shirazis reject velayat-e faqih (which is what the Iranian mullas believe in). Mahfouth. Despite his political proximity to the Haq, and his frequent presence at demonstrations, he has issued statements supporting the King's recent call for calm and dialogue to address sectarian tensions. Al Mahfouth leads prayers in Bani Jamrah, a frequent hotspot for anti-Al Khalifa demonstrations. Sheikh Al. Mahfoodh and his two sons were arrested May 2. Most of the board members have been arrested too and over 40 staff members. Because of the arrests, Amal holds the Bahrain authorities and their allies and supporters, the US, UK and European Union, responsible for the safety of Sheikh Al. Mahfoodh, Secretary General of the Society. They heavily blame the US, especially Britain for not taking action in Bahrain.

Brief Review of Iranian Connections Bahrain Islamic Freedom Movement: � - Said Shehabi (Leader) Wefaq: � -Sheikh Isa Qassim (Religious Leader): � Fadhel Al-Lankarani (Taught Qassim in Qom) � Kadhem Al-Haeri (Taught Q in Qom) Haq: � Mushiama (leader): � Sanad (religious leader) � Khorsani Wafa: � Abdulwahab Hussain (Leader): � Sheikh Abduljalil Al Moqdad (Religious Leader) Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain: � Hojjat ol-Eslam Hadi al-Madrasi (Leader) � Abdulhadi Al Khawaja (Former Leader)