TEHRAN (Tasnim) � Following the Bahraini regime�s move to prevent Shia worshippers from attending Friday prayers at the Imam Sadiq Mosque in the northwestern village of Diraz, a huge number of people marched on foot to the mosque to voice their anger at the decision.

Bahraini security forces in Diraz banned those attending the Imam Sadiq Mosque from entering and holding prayers on Friday, according to the Arabic-language Al-Manar TV.

Following the move by regime forces, a large number of people in the district marched to the mosque to hold Friday prayers.

The march came after Friday prayers leaders in Bahrain released statements calling on people from all walks of life to attend the religious rites across the country.

Bahrain, a close ally of the US in the Persian Gulf region, has been witnessing almost daily protests against the ruling Al Khalifa dynasty since early 2011, with Manama using heavy-handed measures in an attempt to crush the demonstrations.

Scores of Bahrainis have been killed and hundreds of others injured and arrested in the ongoing crackdown on the peaceful demonstrations.

Amnesty International and many other international rights organizations have frequently censured the Bahraini regime for the rampant human rights abuses against opposition groups and anti-regime protesters.

By Tasnim News Agency