Gulf | Bahrain
Bahrain decision to stop construction of mosques sparks furore
Withdrawal of construction permit for 15 Shiite places of worship in Bahrain has created a conflict between authority and religious politicians, a lawmaker said on Monday.
- Staff Report
- Published: 00:08 July 15, 2008
Manama: Withdrawal of construction permit for 15 Shiite places of worship in Bahrain has created a conflict between authority and religious politicians, a lawmaker said on Monday.
The order of Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs to ban Sunni and Shiite Endowment Directorate from processing permits to build or renovate mosques that came into effect from May could jeopardise stability in Bahrain and the region, Saeed Makki Al Wadai, member of the biggest Shiite bloc, warned.
He said in a statement that the government chose the wrong time to impose the ban as the decision could create sectarian conflicts and said that the ban had affected many construction projects and not only that of the 15 mosques and community centres.
"The decision lacks legality and could promote negative feeling among people who might think that the government is controlling their faith," said Al Wadai.
He said the Sunni and Shiite Endowments were part of the ministry and so they could continue doing their task, especially because they were caretakers of places of worship. "The order would delay the building of mosques and community centres as ... now the [wait for permits] would be for longer."
Al Wadai urged the ministry to promote Islamic culture such as forcing foreign investors to construct mosques, rather than interfering in religious activities of people.
Independent Shiite Islamic Council also condemned the decision as unrealistic and said it was interfering in the work of the endowments.
Its scholars in a statement said that the ban indicates the ministry's distrust of the endowments' efforts to protect places of worship, while highlighting their dissatisfaction at the decision that might shy away charities keen on building mosques.
Shaikh Khalid Bin Ali Al Khalifa, Minister of Justice and Islamic Affairs, said in a statement after his meeting with religious figures on Saturday that the decision was part of many imposed recently to separate places of worship and politics.
The ministry has banned political gatherings at mosques and religious community centres as well as elections of political societies there.
Al Khalifa said the step aims to regulate building of mosques, especially after complaints from residents over unauthorised prayer cabins in the kingdom.
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