Saudi security authorities raided Shia centers on Tuesday evening, ready to celeberate the largest festival in al-Ahsa on auspicious birthday anniversary of Imam Mahdi (a.s) and ordered to demolish all decorations.
The received reports confirm that police forces raided the village of Bani Ma’an and threatened Shias to prison unless they dismantle all equipments prepared for the festival. Saudi extremist forces seize identity cards of who set up the festival and asked them to refer to police station. Witnesses said that security agents ordered the removal of five sites which were prepared for celebrating the birthday of Imam Mahdi (a.s) on Wednesday evening. The preparations for the festival was began about a month ago, according to participants. It is not the first time that Saudi security authorities raided and destructed ornamental aspects of Shia festivals. Furthermore they arrest participants and directors who set up festivals. Sectarian harassment in recent years is oversee by the Wahhabi governor of Al-Ahsa, Badr bin Jalwi. He arrested hundreds of people and shut down dozens of Shia mosques and religious schools. Saudi monarch, King Abdullah, issued a command to extend the remains of Badr bin Jalwi in al-Ahsa for a period of four years.