Arab world tense ahead of Friday prayers

Violence in Iran, Libya, Bahrain, and Yemen expected to reach new heights after sermons

Roee Nahmias|Published: 02.18.11 , 00:54

The Arab world prepared Thursday evening for a tense day of prayer Friday, after anti-government protests in Iran, Libya, Bahrain, and Yemen claimed a number of lives.

Thursday in Bahrain

Bahrain military locks down capital

News Agencies

Following deadly pre-dawn raid on Manama's central square, army says it has 'key parts' of city under control. Protesters, banned from gathering, chant 'regime must go'

Bahrain military locks down capital

On the fourth day of protests, Bahrain's leaders were especially cautious. At a meeting of the Gulf States' foreign ministers, Bahrain's Khalid al-Khalifa said none of the other states had sent armed forces in to provide backup for its army.

The foreign ministers were concerned over Iran's apparent involvement in the protests, which were mainly organized by Shiites. But al-Khalifa rejected the notion. "Bahrain's Shiites are loyal to the state," he said.

Meanwhile, at least ten people were killed in Libya in protests that saw torching of pictures of its leader, Muammar Gaddafi. Many say Gaddafi's regime is attempting to silence reports from the ground.

The Algerian and Yemeni regimes also fear uprisings could turn violent after Friday prayer services, following a week of protest in their territories as well.

In Egypt, Yusuf al-Qaradawi, one of the most honored Sunni theologians and unofficial spiritual leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, plans to deliver a Friday sermon at Tahrir Square, where popular anti-government rallies centered in Cairo.

Al-Arabiya reported Thursday that the army would secure al-Qaradawi's arrival and departure from the square. It will be his first sermon on Egyptian territory, where he was considered persona-non-grata by the deposed regime, since 1981.

In an ironic twist, Iran is expecting a rally in favor of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Friday. The gathering, during which demonstrators are to express "rage and hatred" towards the opposition, follows a week of protests by the latter.