Court Rules the Closure of Al-Wefaq Society, Suspension of its Activities and Reservation of its Funds

Manama, June 14 (BNA): The Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments emphasized the dangers of the systematic organizations which operate within the framework of external religious political reference, under the apparent disregard to the duties of citizenship and peaceful coexistence, and a direct dependence on the deepening sectarian political concepts, and the consolidation of breaching the Constitution, the law and all state institutions, as well as non-recognition of components in society in order to create a sectarian dimension of the political reality and seek to clone regional models based on sectarian lines. The ministry stressed that those organizations that have been implanted in the country have worked for decades on diverting from the concept of the state, secure legal cover for acts associated with extremism and terrorism, and work to create a new generation that carries the spirit of hatred, weakening the concept of convergence between the sects and creating conflicts for attempts to strengthen and consolidate national co-existence and pluralism, and this is out of the culture of exclusion, intolerance and linking opposition political organizations in countries of the region with sectarian and extremist political parties that adopt terrorism. The ministry stressed its determination to combat this infringing extremism and protect the community from it by the force of law. Accordingly, the ministry emphasizes that any organizations that adopts extremism and diverts from the Constitution and the law in Bahrain, an Arab and Muslim Constitutional Monarchy State that believes in tolerance, coexistence and pluralism as a firm basis to rule, are illegal organizations and its presence and continued operations are contrary to public order in the Kingdom. In this regard, the ministry has submitted to court a request to dissolve the Al Wefaq National Islamic Society. The court released today a court 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. This is based on the association’s practices that targeted, and still targeting, harming the principle of respect the rule of law and the foundations of citizenship based on coexistence, tolerance and respect for others, and to create an environment for terrorism, extremism and violence as well as a call for foreign interference in internal national affairs. The ministry pointed out that maintaining the security of the Kingdom and the safety of its people as well as achieving a better life for all citizens and consolidating more achievements in all fields, is the first responsibility of government. At this stage, the priority is to correct the political path for all and prepare to provide a suitable environment in the coming elections under the principle of the freedom to form political associations or join any of them as national, popular and democratic organizations working representing citizens within the framework of national unity, social peace and democracy specified by the Constitution and the National Action Charter. The ministry affirmed that maintaining security, continuing to promote development in all fields and achieving the 2030 Economic Vision of the Kingdom is the fundamental force for all the faithful who work in this land in different positions and persuasions, who stood faithfully in the face of these extremist and exclusionary organizations throughout history and in various places, and practiced their role in the national construction and development as well as serve their community without discrimination. Bahrain and Gulf Arab states will continue to be an oasis of safety, security and a home for every faithful, whatever direction the doctrine or faith of those who have demonstrated loyalty by word and deed.