Bahrain Accuses Iran, Qatar of Plotting to Target its Unity

Interior Minister chairs National Plan follow-up committee meeting (Bahrain news agency)
Interior Minister chairs National Plan follow-up committee meeting (Bahrain news agency)
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Bahrain Accuses Iran, Qatar of Plotting to Target its Unity

Interior Minister chairs National Plan follow-up committee meeting (Bahrain news agency)
Interior Minister chairs National Plan follow-up committee meeting (Bahrain news agency)

Bahrain accused on Sunday Iran and Qatar of plotting to target its national unity and of promoting sedition and chaos.

Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdulla Al-Khalifa said the Qatari and Iranian interference in the internal affairs of Bahrain aren’t new, but come in different forms.

He explained that Iran relies on fanning the flames of sectarianism to interfere in Bahrain’s internal affairs blatantly, while Qatar seeks to undermine social cohesion and damage family bonds, which represents an affront to authentic Arab and Islamic values and customs.

“This is against Arabic and Islamic values,” he said.

The Interior Minister explained that the conspiracies of Qatar and Iran and their attempts to divide the nation and promote sedition will fail because of the national unity of Bahrainis and their loyalty to the King, which would enable them to meet challenges.

“Qatari and Iranian conspiracies to subvert national unity and spark chaos are doomed to failure”, he said.

The Minister was speaking as he chaired the second meeting of the committee to follow up the implementation of the National Plan to Promote the Spirit of Belonging to the Nation and Reinforce the Values of Nationalism.

At the committee, some new initiatives were introduced, and others were integrated, bringing the total to 89 initiatives, of which 60 have been applied.

The Interior Minister said the Reform Project spearheaded by the King is considered highly significant, and is regarded as a national achievement and a role model throughout time to take Bahrain to a bright and secure future and protect the dignity of all segments in society.



Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia for Hajj Stream into Arafat

Muslim pilgrims pray at dawn on Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma or Mount of Mercy, during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage on June 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
Muslim pilgrims pray at dawn on Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma or Mount of Mercy, during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage on June 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
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Pilgrims in Saudi Arabia for Hajj Stream into Arafat

Muslim pilgrims pray at dawn on Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma or Mount of Mercy, during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage on June 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)
Muslim pilgrims pray at dawn on Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma or Mount of Mercy, during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage on June 5, 2025. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)

Around two million pilgrims are in Saudi Arabia for this year's Hajj, a government spokesperson said Wednesday.

Hajj is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, a religious obligation involving rituals and acts of worship that every Muslim must fulfil if they have the money and are physically able to do it.

Hajj Ministry spokesperson Ghassan Al-Nuwaimi provided an approximate number for foreigners at this year’s pilgrimage. He did not say how many domestic pilgrims were taking part. Last year, there were 1,611,310 pilgrims from outside the country.

On Wednesday, pilgrims streamed into Arafat, some making the journey on foot, carrying their luggage through temperatures nudging 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Others carried the elderly.

People paused to sit on the ground to rest or eat before heading to their camps.

Mount Arafat, a rocky hill southeast of Makkah, holds immense significance in Islam. Arafat is mentioned in the Quran and it is where the Prophet Muhammad gave his last sermon on his final Hajj.

According to traditional sayings of the prophet, the Day of Arafat is the most sacred day of the year, when God draws near to the faithful and forgives their sins.

Pilgrims remain in Arafat, in prayer and reflection, from after midnight until after sunset. After sunset Thursday, pilgrims will go to the desert plain of Muzdalifah to collect pebbles, which they will use in a ritual.

Earlier in the week, Health Minister Fahad bin Abdulrahman Al-Jalajel told The Associated Press that 10,000 trees have been planted to provide more shade, there is increased hospital bed capacity, and the number of paramedics has tripled.