MANAMA, Bahrain: Protests to block a purposed family law from being passed by parliament that began Wednesday are set to continue through Wednesday, when large numbers are expected to answer the call to join a protest lead by Shiite Ulama Islamic Council chairman Sheikh Isa Qasem.

On Sunday, hundreds of Bahrainis marched in two separate protests.

The protesters came from villages in the Northern Governorate, home to the highest density of Bahrain’s population, an estimated 40 per cent.

They marched carrying placards and signs demanding that the proposed law be rejected, and called for passage of the draft put forward by the Council, which is spearheading the protest efforts.

Qasem had warned in his Friday prayers sermon that passing the law in its present format could lead to unrest, accusing the government of wanting to pass it to please the United States.

Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are the only countries in the Arab world without a personal status law.