Al Khalifa Government’s Anti-Religious Policies Threaten Bahrain’s National Existence, Warn Scholars

Al Khalifa Government’s Anti-Religious Path Poses Serious Threat to Bahrain’s National Existence, Warn Bahraini Scholars

Shiite News: Prominent Bahraini religious scholars have issued a strong warning over what they describe as the Al Khalifa government’s anti-religious policies and its overt interference in endowment affairs, calling the measures a serious threat to the country’s national existence, religion, beliefs and religious rituals. In a joint statement, the scholars stressed that no society can move toward progress and improvement while opposing the established religion and commandments of God.

The statement strongly condemned what the scholars described as a dangerous and religiously illegitimate government measure under which the affairs of Jaafari endowments, Hussainiyas, Imambargahs, mosques and cemeteries have been placed under the authority of a government council headed by a minister. The scholars said the move constitutes an aggressive measure against religious authority and an open violation of the conditions of endowments, which they said are legally binding under Islamic law. They described it as an attempt to dismantle a decades-old system under which religious endowments had remained protected from the control of government policies deemed contrary to Islamic law.

The Bahraini scholars also described the decision to make religious activities, preaching, sermons, guidance and religious education subject to government licensing and authorization as an oppressive measure equivalent to placing a noose around religion. They said the proper approach is for the government to remain subject to religion rather than placing religion under government control. According to the scholars, the move also contradicts religious freedom and Bahrain’s longstanding traditions.

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The scholars called on the government to adopt wisdom and prudence and immediately revoke all such decisions. The statement concluded by emphasizing that Bahrain’s problems cannot be solved by depriving people of their rights, violating their dignity and restricting religious freedom. Instead, they said, the solution lies in establishing justice and guaranteeing the people’s political, economic and religious rights.