Saudi Regime Imposed Severe Restrictions on Ashura Observances in Al-Ahsa and Dammam 

20 January 2008 

The Saudi authorities imposed severe restrictions on public observances of Ashura in al-Ahsa, Dammam during these days of Ashura (commemoration of Imam Hussain's death).

The authorities in these cities closed down more than 30 hussainiyas and mosques. The religious police banned loudspeaker broadcast of clerics' lectures from hussainiyas, and  gatherings within hussainiyas.

They also pressured some Shi'a citizens, who must promise that they will not participate in private gatherings within their  private homes that attracts popular attention.

It is worth mentioning that the Governor of Al-Ahsa Province (Badr Ibn Mohammed Ibn Juluwe) called prominent religious figures and warned them not overstep the proper bounds of holding observances of Ashura.