A Conference of Peace or Surrender?: A Statement by His Eminence Ayatollah Qassem
A Conference of Peace or Surrender?: A Statement by His Eminence Ayatollah Qassem regarding the upcoming “Bahrain Forum for Dialogue, East and West for Human Coexistence”
In the name of of Allah the Merciful
1- There are 2 types of conferences, when it comes to the relations between narrow or broad international entities: peace conferences and surrender conferences.
What kind is the conference that is going to be held by Bahrain’s ruling regime under the title (Coexistence Conference), which is noted to be taking place in a context consistent with the normalisation moves and the empowerment of Israel in the region -Bahrain in particular- as well as in the context of the regime’s severe & comprehensive persecution of the people at the political, social, religious, cultural and humanitarian levels. This persecution affects all decent freedoms & inalienable rights; the deteriorating living standard in Bahrain is a better witness to that. Also, local & international rights organisations’ reports are enough in this regard.
2- Prominent scholars, from all across the world, have been invited to the conference, so that their attendance would exert an influential weight on the nation’s public opinion in a bid that they would trust, approve & uphold its outcomes, for which the conference is basically organised. If these outcomes contradict the requisites of religion and human dignity, then the participation of religious figures and their adoption of these outcomes would be a calamity. These personalities are not relieved of their responsibility unless they openly declare their opposition and innocence of such [expected] outcomes.
3- It is assumed that the coexistence meant by the conference is the peaceful coexistence. If this is true, then genuine peace cannot be achieved without providing its basis, i.e. justice. Without maintaining justice that coexistence would mean the surrender of the oppressed to the will of the oppressor.
Therefore, we hope that these religious figures would express a firm stance by declaring, during the discussions and following the closing session, a frank direct critism that advocates religion and human rights, which also corresponds with the humanity & dignity of people, the goal of life, and which establish an actual peace that puts an end to the state of vulnerability & submission.
Out of fidelity to the religious teachings, appreciation to its sanctity, bearing their great obligations; in appreciation of the human principles; and for the sake of true peace; it is imperative for every religious scholar, who chooses to attend this conference, especially those on whom the official focus is, must express a firm, honourable and explicit stance that serves truth and justice & denounces what contradicts them.
What [the people of Bahrain] are looking forward to from those esteemed scholars is a brave and honest stance, which is consistent with the power, honesty, truthfulness & sincerity of the religion.
Issa Ahmed Qassem
October 31, 2022 AD
