Security to be tightened near mosques

Manama

With rumors rapidly spreading on a predicted terrorist attack in the kingdom, similar to the ones that had recently occurred at worship places in fellow GCC countries, security authorities have pledged to be on highest alert, especially at the vicinity of mosques.

Aiming at ensuring national security and worshippers’ safety from the increasing terrorist attacks that are targeting worship places in the region, it has been announced yesterday that modern security technologies will be installed at mosques to prevent any such threats from becoming a reality, including CCTV cameras and other advanced security techniques.

It was also confirmed that a number of nominated citizens would be registered at the security directorates as volunteers to cooperate with the police, that’s after they receive training in first aid and civil defence from the concerned departments at Interior Ministry.

Within the announced precautionary measures, it was affirmed that mosques will be closed after each prayer, so caretakers can continuously monitor all mosques’ interiors and sections.

This was declared during a meeting yesterday between Minister of Interior Lt General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa and Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa. The meeting was also attended by Public Security Chief Major-Gen. Tariq Al Hassan, Sunni Endowments Chairman Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa and Jaffaria Waqf Directorate (JWD) Chairman Shaikh Abdulmohsen Al Asfoor.

The meetings came after news were circulating all over the media, stating that Islamic State (IS) terrorist organisation had threatened to target Bahrain next Friday, after they attacked a mosque in Kuwait on Friday, killing 27 worshippers and injuring around 200 of them.