Bahraini regime on Monday stripped Ayatollah Sheikh Issa al-Qassem from citizenship in a clear escalation against Shia clerics in Bahrain.

Bahraini regime on Monday stripped Ayatollah Sheikh Issa al-Qassem from citizenship in a clear escalation against Shia clerics in Bahrain.

Bahraini interior ministry said on Monday it was going ahead "to confront all means of extremism and submission to a foreign religious and political reference."

"... Based on that, so-called Issa Ahmad Qassem was stripped of citizenship," the interior ministry said, according to Bahraini daily, al-Wasat.

The ministry said Sheikh Qassem's nationality was revoked over "forming groups that yield to a foreign political and religious reference."

According to the ministry, Sheikh Qassem "had role in creating an extremist sectarian environment," as he "worked on dividing the society on sectarian basis."

In response, a crowded protest was held spontaneously next to Ayatollah Qassem's house to denounce the regime's decision to revoke his nationality.

The protestors wore their shrouds, asserting that they do not want Bahrain to be without Sheikh Qassem.

Sheikh Qassem appeared before the protestors next to his residence and confirmed his firm stance.

Several political parties in Bahrain issued statements to denounce the regime's action against Sheikh Qassem, calling on the Bahrainis to move against regime action.

Earlier, another prominent Shia cleric, Sayyed Abdullah al-Ghuraifi warned against targeting Sheikh Qassem.

In a statement, Sayyed Ghuraifi said that targeting Sheikh Qassem, the most leading Shia cleric in Bahrain, is aimed at targeting this sect, its religious references, history, present and future."