Al Wefaq gets ministry’s nod despite suspension

Manama

Al Wefaq Islamic Society will continue its activities even though the Supreme Appeals Court upheld a ruling to suspend it for three months, confirmed the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs in a statement. 

In a statement issued in response to the appeal ruling, the ministry underlined that the society currently has 3044 members, which means the required quorum was met during its general assembly meeting. 

“As the society didn’t object that the number of its members is 3044, the ministry announces the continuation of the society’s activities and the approval of its last general assembly meeting,” the ministry said in a statement. 

In July last year, the Justice Ministry filed a suit against the society, saying that it must rectify its “illegal status following the annulment of four general assemblies for lack of a quorum and the non-commitment to the public.” 

The High Administrative Court earlier found Al Wefaq guilty of breaking laws governing political societies, and failing to meet a one-month deadline to hold a fresh internal election.  It said the society had broken the law by holding two general assembly meetings without following quorum rules and calling for two similar meetings without informing the proper authorities. 

The society was also found to have broken the rules governing associations by holding two general assembly meetings in ma’atams, even though such meetings are not allowed to take place at religious venues.

 The society challenged the initial verdict, but the Supreme Appeals Court had confirmed Al Wefaq’s infringements of the law, and upheld the decision to suspend it for three months to rectify the violations.