Shia mourners, commemorating the beginning of the Islamic month Muharram, have been tear-gassed in Bahrain, say activists, who accuse the Bahraini regime of attacking religious freedom in the restive Arab state.

Bahraini Human Rights activist Maryam Al Khawajah writes [ar]:

في انتهاك للحريات الدينية, النظام الحاكم يعتدي على شيعة يحيون شعائرهم الدينية في قرية المعامير#البحرين http://t.co/sz96wmZf6k #Bahrain

— Maryam Alkhawaja (@MARYAMALKHAWAJA) November 4, 2013

In a violation to religious freedom, the ruling regime attacks Shiites performing religious rituals in the village of Maameer.

The Month of Muharram is a month of mourning for Muslims of the Shia faith. The 10th day of Muharram, or Ashoora, commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain bin Ali, Prophet Muhammed's grandson in the Battle of Karbala, which took place in the year 680, in Iraq. The occasion is marked by processions across towns and villages, as well as readings in congregation halls for members of the Shia faith. These rituals have been held for centuries, and passed down from one generation to the next.

Quiet Bahrain-i shares another photograph from the same “incident” saying:

This is an evidence of the war the regime is running against a sect in #Bahrain 4Nov2013 pic.twitter.com/ETeHOWxYVg

— Quite #Bahrain-i (@QuiteBH) November 4, 2013

And Ahmed Ali has another one:

#Bahrain attacks religious procession with tear gas. pic.twitter.com/WXQwbIJC7r

— Ahmed Ali احمد علي (@ahmedali_) November 4, 2013

Al Wefaq Society, the largest opposition group, posts another photograph:

Regime forces attack citizens while preparing for annual religious spiritual event in #Bahrain pic.twitter.com/WPsTwJHfWx

— AlwefaqEN (@AlWefaqEN) November 4, 2013