Hawzah News Agency (Qom, Iran) – In a meeting with a group of seminary students in the city of Qom on Thursday, January 31, Grand Ayatollah Hussein Noori Hamedani warned students to stay vigilant in the face of current world issues and advised them to take strong stance regarding such important matters.

The senior Shia cleric quoted a narration from Imam Ali (as) saying that people must fight injustice and oppression everywhere, they must support the oppressed since it has no geographical boundary; wherever there's injustice and oppression, people must stand up and support the oppressed.

The Shia source of emulation further condemned Al Khalifah's decision to strip Sheikh Issa Qassim of his Bahraini citizenship saying, "We strongly condemn Al Khalifah’s decision and ask Muslims around the world to voice solidarity in support of Ayatollah Issa Qassim. We also ask Bahraini Muslim youth to continue their fight against Al Khalifah regime."

"Islam taught us the way of martyrdom and fight against injustice; today, the oppressive Bahraini regime is serving as the puppet of imperialist countries such as the US along with its allies Israel and Saudi Arabia. Al Khalifah regime has no independence and will of its own; they have turned their country into a base for the UK.” Grand Ayatollah said.

Grand Ayatollah Hussein Noori Hamedani concluded by saying, "It's essential that international bodies break their silence towards these injustice and oppression being carried out in Bahrain and Yemen. It's time they recognize the violation of human rights in Yemen and Bahrain and take a stance against such cruel crimes preventing further violence."

Last year, Al Khalifah rulers revoked citizenship of Sheikh Issa Qassim, accusing him of sowing sectarian divisions.

Sheikh Qassim, who is considered the spiritual leader of Bahrain's Shia majority, was alleged to have used his position to "serve foreign interests and promote sectarianism and violence," the Bahraini ministry said in a statement.

The decision has drawn widespread international condemnation.