Opposition groups in Bahrain have launched the unified logo to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the “Epic of Sacrifice” under the slogan “Loyalty and Devotion.”
The “Epic of Sacrifice” refers to the events of 2017, when hundreds of young men and supporters maintained a vigil outside the home of the leading Shia cleric Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim in defense of him. According to the statement, Bahraini security forces, supported by Saudi military forces, attacked the protest site several times.
During the first attack, Mustafa Hamdan was critically injured and later died after remaining in a coma for two months as a result of his injuries.
On May 23, 2017, security forces carried out another raid on the sit-in, during which the protesters reportedly confronted the forces peacefully, with bare hands and while wearing symbolic burial shrouds. Five protesters were killed in the raid:
Mohammed Hamdan
Mohammed Zain Al-Din
Mohammed Al-Sari
Ahmed Al-Asfour
Mohammed Al-Akri
Dozens of others were injured, hundreds were arrested, and the residence of Sheikh Isa Qassim was placed under heavy siege. The sit-in was eventually dispersed by force.
The statement also says that the authorities compelled the families of those killed to bury them without funeral ceremonies, describing this as a clear violation of religious and humanitarian norms.
The incident is regarded by opposition groups as one of the most important milestones of the February 14 Revolution, whose anniversary continues to be commemorated annually by
