Bahrain Mirror- Exclusive: Thousands of angry protestors took to the streets on Sunday (January 29, 2017) on the eve of the new court hearing of Sheikh Isa Qassim over charge of managing Khums (Shiite religious ritual) money.

Protestors who staged protests in over 40 villages across the country wore shrouds, in a show of their willingness to sacrifice themselves for the sake of Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim, who is considered the highest religious authority in Bahrain, and support for the popular uprising demanding to put an end to Al Khalifa monopoly over the power.

Protestors held photos for Sheikh Isa Qassim and banners warning from attacking him. They chanted slogans against King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa who they bear responsibility for the violations practiced by the government against indigenous Shiites.

In Diraz where thousands of protestors are surrounding Sheikh Qassim's house, worshipers wore their shrouds and confirmed their willingness to die in the neighborhoods that have become protest square since the authorities revoked the citizenship of their spiritual leader in June 2016.

The security forces confronted the protests in several villages using shotguns and tear gas, which left scores of injuries among the protestors.

Four senior clerics said that Sheikh Qassim's trial leads the country to "slippery slopes".

Sayed Abdullah Al-Ghuraifi, Sheikh Mohammad Saleh Al-Rabi'i, Sheikh Abdulhussein Al-Sitri and Sheikh Mohammad Sanqour said that putting Sheikh Isa Qassim to trial over Khums and attacking the highest religious leader is considered a trial against the sect.

The clerics deemed the trial a "violation to citizenship rights and provocation to all emotions that would lead the country to slippery slopes and hard choices." "We say these words while our hearts melt on this country's security, stability, unity and prosperity."

Arabic Version