Officials pull the plug on illegal societies

Manama: Acting tough on illegal societies, authorities swung into action yesterday by shutting down such Islamic and political societies in the country. Some of them were shutdown due to their adoption of violence and extremism, while others were closed owing to illegal fundraising.

Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry announced the temporary closure of Al Wefaq Islamic Society by a court order.

The High Administrative Court ordered to shut it down  because of its “practices that targeted, and are still targeting, harming the principle of respecting the rule of the law and the foundations of citizenship. Besides, it creates an environment for terrorism as well as calls for foreign interference in nation’s internal affairs.”

The Ministry confirmed in a statement that it had submitted a request to the court to dissolve Al Wefaq National Islamic Society. 

“The court released today a ruling on an expedited basis to close the headquarters of the association, with reservation of its funds, and suspend its activity until a decision on the substantive suit,” the Ministry said yesterday.

“The Ministry emphasises on the dangers of the systematic organisations, which operate within the framework of external religious political reference. They have breached the Constitution, the law and all state institutions,” it said. 

 “The Ministry is determined to combat this infringing extremism and protect the community from it by the force of law. Any organisations that adopt extremism and divert from the Constitution and the law, are illegal and their operations are contrary to public order in the Kingdom,” the statement read. 

The society was suspended for three months in 2015 for breaking laws and failing to meet a one-month deadline to hold a fresh internal election.

Meanwhile, the official website of Al Wefaq Islamic Society was banned. However, it’s Twitter account remained active until this report was written. 

Besides, security authorities were seen yesterday entering the society’s headquarters in Zinj.