On June 20, Al Arabiya reported that Bahrain had stripped Shia cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim of his Bahraini citizenship for fomenting a sectarian atmosphere and working to divide Bahraini society. An official statement from the Bahraini Interior Ministry stated that the country works to confront all forms of sectarianism and subordination to foreign theocracies. Shortly after the announcement, hundreds of the Sheikh's supporters rallied outside his home. The decision was widely criticized by both Iran and Hezbollah.

Al Arabiya