Religious scholars can no longer be active in politics : Bahrain

Manama : Bahraini legislators yesterday agreed to separate religious scholars from political works after a prolonged discussion in the presence of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa.

Majority of MPs passed a proposal to amend some of the articles of Law 26 of the year 2005 in regards to political societies.

The proposal stipulates preventing religious scholars from being members in political societies.

They clearly agreed to separate the works of religious clerics and preachers from political activities and societies.

During the discussion with the Minister, the council agreed to allow current political societies’ members certain periods to decide whether they would like to continue their roles as politicians or religious scholars.

Shaikh Khalid said that religious figures interfered in the parliamentary and municipal elections race in 2014, by changing the mindset of people and laying a religious cover over the elections.

Several MPs pointed to the roles played by religious preachers on religious platforms, claiming that they harm the political and democratic process in the Kingdom.

The proposal was eventually passed by a majority of lawmakers despite some opposing voices.