Bahrain upholds religious council closure verdict
Manama, July 8, 2014
Bahrain's Execution Court has passed a resolution to implement an order dissolving an unlicensed religious council for getting involved in politics.
The Ulama Islamic Council was dissolved by the High Administrative Court on January 29, said a report in the Gulf Daily News (GDN), our sister publication.
The court had also ordered liquidation of the council's funds and closure of its headquarters.
An appeal against the closure was rejected by the High Administrative Appeals Court.
The council was taken to court by the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry for inciting sectarianism, dabbling in politics and encouraging violence.
The court said the organisation carried out political activity under religious cover - in breach of the law and the constitution. It also instigated violence resulting in the creation of sectarian strife in the kingdom.
The court further said the council supported the Al Wefaq National Islamic Society and the Islamic Action Society (Amal), which incited violence and was dissolved by a court verdict.
The Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry said Ulama Council continued its illegal activities despite repeated warnings by authorities.
It breached the constitution and the law since its inception and failed to respond to invitations reminding it to adjust its organisational status in compliance with the law, the ministry added. - TradeArabia News Service
