Strict action will be taken against anyone spreading sectarian hate in Bahrain, warned a top government official.

Information Affairs Minister and official government spokesman Isa Al Hammadi yesterday (June 1) stressed that tighter security was being introduced as a precaution by the Interior Ministry in co-ordination with the Sunni and Jaffari Waqf (Endowment) Directorates, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.

He spoke at a Press conference after terrorist group, the Islamic State (IS), claimed responsibility for last Friday's attack, in which a suicide bomber disguised as a woman blew himself up outside a Dammam mosque, killing himself and three others.

It was the second attack of its kind in Saudi Arabia in a week as IS claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing at a Shi'ite mosque in Qatif city that killed 21 people on May 22.

“Targeting people due to difference in religion or belief is highly denounced within the nation, which is living in harmony and peace,” said Al Hammadi in a Press conference following the weekly Cabinet session yesterday.

“The Interior Ministry alongside others have tightened security as a precaution and to ensure that those practising their rituals at places of worship are safe and away from any danger or harm.

“Action against instigators of sectarian hatred will be taken without hesitation regardless of their identity.”

Meanwhile, Al Hammadi said efforts were being directed towards promoting national unity in print and broadcast media outlets that operate under the umbrella of the information Affairs Authority (IAA).

“We will air programmes, produced at the ministry, promoting national unity and tolerance, and will work alongside private institutions like newspapers to spread the true message about Bahrain,” he added.

“Bahrain needs to showcase its unity in the face of extremism that is spreading in the region.” - TradeArabia News Service