
A protest in front of the United Nations in support of Shiite Bahranis who have been demonstrating for democracy in Bahrain. (Photo: Mohsin Zaheer)
NEW YORK–Ever since a wave of protests began sweeping across North Africa and the Middle East, Arab immigrants in the U.S. have been showing their support.
On March 27 the Al-Mahdi Foundation of New York along with a coalition of Muslim organizations staged a demonstration in front of the United Nations building and the Saudi Arabian Consulate to express solidarity with Bahraini Shiites who have been demonstrating for social equality and democracy in Bahrain since February.
Demonstrators also called on the United Nations and the United States to prevent Saudi Arabia from sending troops to support the Bahraini government, which has used force against the protesters. In New York, the speakers criticized the Saudi Arabian government and the Sunni ruling family of Bahrain, the Al Khalifa family, which has ruled for more than two centuries over a Shiite majority.
The organizers are planning a follow-up protest in front of the White House in Washington D.C. on April 15, said Javed Hussain, secretary general of the Al-Mahdi Foundation.