Bahrain’s ruling regime carried out on Thursday unprecedented summonings campaign against Shia scholars, in a new escalation against the Gulf Kingdom’s religious majority.

Bahrain's ruling regime carried out on Thursday unprecedented summonings campaign against Shia scholars, in a new escalation against the Gulf Kingdom's religious majority.

Local media reported that Bahraini authorities summoned the Head of Islamic Council of Scholars, Sayyed Majeed al-Mashal for investigation on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the authorities prevented the most prominent Friday prayers Imam in Bahrain, Sheikh Mohammad Sankour from performing prayers in Imam Sadeq Mosque in Diraz, according to local media.

Also on Thursday, the Bahraini authorities summoned chairman of a prominent religious group, al-Tawiyah Islamic Association, Sheikh Baqer al-Hawwaj, who was also summoned for investigation earlier on Tuesday.

The Bahraini regime also summoned Sheikh Hussein al-Mahrous, Sayyed Hashem al-Bahrani, Sheikh Ibrahim al-Ansari, Sheikh Taleb al-Daihi and Sheikh Abbas al-Haiki, local media in the Gulf Kingdom reported.

Pro-regime militias also carried out unlawful raid on the house of Sheikh Hasan al-Maliki.

The campaign on Thursday comes two days after the Bahraini authorities suspended activities of prominent opposition group al-Wefaq and dissolved al-Tawiya and al-Risala Islamic associations.

Commenting on the oppressive move by the Bahraini regime, religious scholars (Ulama) in the country considered the recent developments as a war declaration on the cultural and religious existence of the Shia sect in the country.

In a statement on Wednesday, the scholars said the "regime's terrorist escalation reflects its illogical approach and sectarian as well as arrogant policy in face of the peaceful and oppressed people who moved to demand that the authorities grant them their legitimate rights."