Hundreds of demonstrators gathered on Friday under a blazing sun in Budaiya, a coastal town located in the north-western region of Bahrain. They protested the recent constitutional reforms ratified by the King, which they say are an 'illusion'.

Protesters chanted anti-regime slogans. They were seen waving Bahraini flags and carrying 'symbolic coffins' in memory of the victims of the Al-Khalifa regime's violent crackdown.

Bahraini King Hamad ratified constitutional amendments on Thursday in which he gave more power to the Parliament and cabinet. According to the amendments, the king now has to consult the heads of the elected parliament and the appointed Consultative Council before dissolving the legislature.

The Shi'ite community has been demanding democratic reforms for more than a year, however the opposition dismissed the amendments saying they were 'inadequate' and vowed to continue their struggle.

More than a year after the beginning of the uprising, members of the Shi'ite community protest almost every day in different villages and cities across the Gulf kingdom.

The majority Shi'ite community say they feel marginalized by the minority Sunni al-Khalifa regime, which has been in power for more than 200 years. Bahrain's Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa ibn Salman Al Khalifa has occupied his position for 42 years. The Shi'ite population demand democratic reforms that would reduce the extensive powers of the ruling Sunni Muslim Al Khalifa family.

According to activists the regime's violent clampdown on pro-democracy protests resulted in the deaths of more than 80 people since the beginning of the popular uprising last year.

Photo courtesy of @Aboalialali and @vendettaBH