Bahrain bans political activities in mosques
By Suad Hamada (Our correspondent)
19 May 2008
MANAMA — Bahrain is moving ahead to curb irregularities at mosques especially against those politicising religious dialogue.
Bahrain bans political activities in mosques
By Suad Hamada (Our correspondent)
19 May 2008
MANAMA — Bahrain is moving ahead to curb irregularities at mosques especially against those politicising religious dialogue.
The Kingdom’s Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs has issued a statement announcing the ban on political discussions and activities at places of worship to protect their sanctity. The statement highlighted actions to be taken against violators while mentioning political societies’ law that bans political activities at public and educational organisations as well as worshipping places.
High Cassation Court judge and scholar Shaikh Mohsen Al Asfoor said that the ministry had intensified inspection visits to all mosques to check their activities and their role in promoting hatred or disunity among Muslims.
“Unfortunately, many mosques are controlled by certain religious groups for example Sunni’s mosques are divided as some for Brotherhood followers and others for Salafists and Shia’s worshipping places are no exception,” he explained. “Mosques throughout the history have been for the promotion of unity and peaceful co-existences and the decision would eradicate the wrong practices in Bahraini society.”
Shaikh Al Asfoor blamed the ministry for the problem as he said that if the Sunni and Shia endowment directorates supervise the activities of mosques, then many of the existing problems couldn’t happen in the first place. He said that allowing Islamic societies to run the daily affairs of mosques would certainly influence the religious programmes offered by these mosques. He urged the officials concerned to hold awareness campaigns to avoid clash with the public as people might think this move is meant against religious activities in Bahrain.
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