TEHRAN – Leader of Bahraini Shias Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim has met with a number of top Iranian religious scholars including Ayatollahs Nasser Makarem Shirazi, Lotfollah Safi-Golpayegani and Hossein Nouri-Hamedani in the shrine city of Qom.

During his meeting with Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi on Tuesday, the two religious personalities discussed the latest developments in the Islamic world, especially Bahrain.

“What makes you happy makes us happy too and what disturbs you also disturbs us,” Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi said, IRNA reported.

He also honored the struggles of Bahraini Shias and their leader Sheikh Isa Qasim.

Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi also prayed for the top Bahraini cleric’s health and release of all Muslims, particularly Bahraini Shias, from the evil of the oppressors.

Anti-regime protesters have held demonstrations in Bahrain regularly since February 2011. They are demanding that the Al Khalifah dynasty allow a just governing system representing all Bahrainis.

Manama has gone to great lengths to clamp down on any sign of dissent. On March 14, 2011, troops from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were deployed to assist Bahrain in its crackdown.

Scores of people have lost their lives or sentenced to death, and hundreds of others sustained injuries or got arrested as a result of the crackdown.

MH/PA