MPs seek enhanced compensation to make imam roles more appealing for youth

TDT | Manama                                                      

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

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MPs have proposed a new law to provide benefits for Bahraini imams by including them in the public service wage scale under the Civil Service Bureau’s shift system.

The Parliament is now proposing incentives, including bonuses for those with PhDs and master’s degrees, to attract youth into these roles as imams and muezzins, and address a growing shortage in the profession.

The goal is to make these positions more appealing, as they play a vital role in upholding community traditions and religious practices. If passed, a full-time Bahraini imam with at least a bachelor’s degree in Islamic studies or an equivalent qualification would be placed at grade eight on the public pay scale.

Qualifications

Likewise, a full-time Bahraini muezzin or caretaker with comparable qualifications would be positioned at grade seven. The bill also offers these roles standard public sector benefits, including promotions, annual pay rises, allowances, and leave, in line with the Civil Service Law and its regulations.

Additional perks include a monthly bonus of BD150 for PhD holders and BD100 for those with a master’s degree. It also specifies that Bahraini imams, muezzins, and caretakers already in service will have their experience counted under civil service guidelines, aligning them with the public pay scale and shift structure.

Proposal

MPs Khaled Buanaq, Ahmed Al Salloom, Hanan Fardan, Basema Abdulkarim, and Maryam Al Saiegh are backing the proposal.

The explanatory memorandum accompanying the bill highlights the need to make these positions more attractive to Bahrainis by securing their place within public service ranks and providing financial stability.

Lawmakers hope that these adjustments will encourage young Bahrainis to consider these respected roles, which remain essential to the nation’s cultural and spiritual life.