The state news agency reported that around 600 participants in the commemoration attempted to stage an “unlicensed march” and lobbed petrol bombs at police in the village of Diah in northern Bahrain.
“The marchers committed acts of sabotage and blocked the streets,” the agency quoted a security chief as saying. He added that the police dispersed the protesters and reopened the streets.
There were no immediate reports about casualties or arrests.
The opposition said that Ali al-Daihi, 70, had been attacked and fatally wounded by anti-riot police near his home in Daih village last week.
Al-Daihi was the father of Hussain al-Daihi, the deputy head of Wefaq, Bahrain’s leading opposition group. Authorities said al-Daihi’s death was due to a heart attack. Police and protesters had already clashed following al-Daihi’s funeral on Friday. The kingdom has been hit by pro-democracy protests since mid-February.
He said Allah calls Muslims to come for Haj.
“And proclaim the pilgrimage among men: they will come to thee on foot and (mounted), on every camel, lean (on account of journeys) through deep and distant mountain highways.” [Al-Haj: 27]
The King added that Prophet Mohammad, peace be upon him, said: “The Righteous Haj has only one reward, which is paradise.”
King Abdullah said there should be “no wrangling or arguments in Haj. The pilgrim goes back to his homeland after performing his rituals as if he was just born. Allah blessed him with this great mission during his lifetime and forgave his sins. What a great blessing and journey Haj is!”
Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims stoned the three 25-meter (82-foot) curved walls, representing Satan, on the first day of Tashreeq, which is also the second day of Eid Al-Adha.
Pilgrims then made their way to the Great Mosque for a “farewell Tawaf.”
Tuesday is the third and final day of the stoning ritual and once complete, will mark the end of the Haj. Authorities have installed a multi-level walkway through the stone-throwing site in a bid to avoid the possibility of a stampede and overcrowding.
