Thousands of Bahrainis protest

Dirazi: Thousands of Shi'ites protested in Bahrain City Dirazi following Friday prayers, chanting anti-regime, despite the government ban on demonstrations.
"We sacrifice of blood and soul of Bahrain, " they chanted, as well as calls for restraint and nonviolence against a bloody crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations of recent days.
Thousands of people gathered to listen to a sermon Friday at Dirazi by Sheikh Issa Qassem, Bahrain top Shiite cleric, before the protest began.
People demand rights and reform "does not believe in violence as authorities try to push them, " Qassem said in his sermon.
"The peaceful approach was our choice, because one day,"he said.
The crowd chanted "Allahu Akbar" (God is Greatest) and "we will not be humiliated!"
At least eight people were killed during the crackdown by security forces in Bahrain on a movement of pro-democracy protests that began in the small Gulf kingdom on February 14. (AFP)