Bahraini justice ministry files lawsuit against Ulama Islamic Council

Within the framework of the implementation of the recommendations by the National Council to undertake the responsibilities of enforcing the law, the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments on Monday filed a lawsuit, requesting the termination of all activities of the so-called Ulama Islamic Council, the liquidation of its assets and the shutting down of its office for being an illegal organization established in violation of the provisions of the Constitution and the laws. The Ministry said, in a statement, that the move was in light of the continuation of the illegal organization of its activities outside the scope of the law, despite the repeated warnings issued by the competent authorities since its inception. The statement said those in charge of the illegal organization had participated in the consultations on the laws of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, at that time, and endorsed them. However, they refrained from joining the Council, and established the illegal organization that was exploited to engage in political activities under a sectarian and religious cover. The Ministry said that violations committed by the organisation included the call for and the adoption of the so-called "revolution", the provision of support to a political society dissolved by a court ruling after it had explicitly called for and adopted violence, the continuous alliance and coordination with a licensed political society, and the unlawful interference in electoral affairs by supporting specific candidates. The Ministry stressed the continuation of the legal actions against the organisation until it regularises its status and practices in accordance with the established laws that ensure the freedom of religious practices and legitimate political activities that promote democratic development in the Kingdom to be achieved only through avoiding the incursion of sectarianism and social unity divisions in political activities.