Manama — The illegitimate Al Khalifa regime in Bahrain has escalated its relentless war on the Shia community, shifting from mere restrictions on religious rituals to a systematic campaign aimed at outright control of the religious pulpit and Shia institutions.
For over 100 weeks, the regime has stubbornly prevented the holding of the country’s largest Shia Friday prayer. This prolonged blockade is a blatant violation of basic religious freedoms that clearly demonstrates this is not a temporary security measure, but a calculated policy of sectarian oppression. Alongside the blockade of Friday prayers, the regime has continued its harassment through the arrests of prominent Shia scholars, restrictions on loudspeakers, and the suppression of mourning processions (Azadari) for the AhlulBayt (AS).
State Guardianship Over the Pulpit
In its latest desperate manoeuvre, the regime’s Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs, and Endowments has introduced draconian regulations demanding that preachers, eulogists (Rudad), and religious missionaries obtain prior permits and present certificates of “good conduct.” In reality, this “good conduct” is merely a euphemism for political submission and alignment with the oppressive ruling authority.
As highlighted by local Bahraini media, these measures go far beyond “regulating religious affairs.” They represent a sinister attempt by the Al Khalifa regime to dictate who is permitted to speak about religion, what truths can be uttered, and where the boundaries lie. The regime seeks to transform the sacred pulpit of Imam Hussain (AS) into a state-monitored platform, stripping it of its divine mandate to enjoin good, forbid evil, and speak truth to tyrannical power.
The Fear of an Independent Scholar
The regime’s true fear lies in the independent religious scholar—the one whose moral and social credibility stems from the people and his allegiance to the Wilayah, not from a government appointment. A true scholar of the AhlulBayt (AS) school possesses the courage to tell the oppressor, “You have erred,” and defend the marginalised against state tyranny.
If the regime succeeds in turning religious scholars into mere “religious employees,” the critical and social essence of the faith will be hollowed out. Recognising this existential threat to their religious identity, numerous ma’tams and husseiniyas across Bahrain have issued joint statements condemning the new permit system as unacceptable interference and a declaration of state guardianship over the pulpits of the AhlulBayt (AS). Over 15 statements have been released across various regions, sparking widespread protests against these restrictive laws.
A Question of Identity and Resistance
The Bahraini people are left asking critical questions: Will our religious rituals be held freely in devotion to Allah, or will they be shackled by the permits of an illegitimate regime? Will our pulpits remain a beacon of truth and a witness against tyranny, or be reduced to mouthpieces approved by the oppressors?
The Al Khalifa regime must understand that expanding the scope of security oversight over the religious sphere will not extinguish the flames of resistance. Instead, the tighter the regime grips the pulpit, the more it exposes its profound fear of the awakening and steadfastness (Sumud) of the Shia masses, who remain unwavering in their covenant with the AhlulBayt (AS).
Reference: ABNA24