Manama : General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior, attended the annual meeting with heads and officials of Maatams (community centres) across the Kingdom’s governorates, organised by the Ministry of Interior at the Police Officers Club.
The meeting comes as part of the Ministry’s community partnership strategy and efforts to enhance engagement with society, and was held within the framework of cooperation and coordination regarding the organisation of Ashoora season activities.
Nawaf bin Mohammed Al Maawda, Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments; Shaikh Nasser bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior; Lieutenant-General Tariq Al Hassan, Chief of Police; the governors; and the vice chairmen of the Islamic Endowments Councils, attended the meeting.
The Interior Minister conveyed the greetings of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The Minister highlighted the commitment of His Royal Highness to enhancing community engagement and promote communication across Bahraini society.
General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah expressed appreciation to the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, for the cooperation and coordination extended by the council. He noted that this year’s Ashoora season comes amid exceptional circumstances marked by heightened security tensions resulting from the recent Iranian attacks against the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Gulf Cooperation Council states.
The Interior Minister addressed preparations for the Ashoora season and developments related to the arrest of individuals linked to the Wilayat al-Faqih network associated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah noted that 41 individuals had been arrested for promoting the ideology of Wilayat al-Faqih, including those identified as the network’s principal operatives in Bahrain. He added that 15 other individuals linked to the main operatives had also been arrested and were believed to have carried out field activities aimed at implementing incitement directives and influencing citizens, particularly young people, in an attempt to draw them into activities punishable by law through methods of social infiltration and the establishment of cells serving unlawful agendas.
The Interior Minister referred to the recent Public Prosecution statement, which indicated that the suspects were involved in offences affecting the security of the Kingdom, public safety and financial crimes. The statement also revealed that funds had been collected without authorisation, with some of the money transferred to Iran, Iraq and Lebanon to support and finance terrorist organisations, while some suspects had personally benefited from the funds collected.
General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah said Wilayat al-Faqih represents a political project operating under a religious framework, adding that political allegiance among its followers is no longer tied to the state in which they live but to the Supreme Leader in Iran.
The Interior Minister noted that the network’s members had been operating covertly to reshape the reality of the Shia community in Bahrain, expand Iranian influence under a religious banner, and establish a broad base of loyalty to Iran and the Supreme Leader across Bahrain’s cities and villages. He added that the network focused on young people, sought influence over Maatams, sermons, religious lessons and financial assistance, and promoted obedience to the Supreme Leader.
General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah said Wilayat al-Faqih had created what could be described as a form of parallel allegiance among some individuals, stressing that dual loyalty cannot be accepted in Bahrain as a sovereign state led by His Majesty the King.
The Interior Minister stressed the need for greater awareness to prevent attempts to influence the beliefs of young people and to counter efforts aimed at changing Bahrain’s identity.
On Ashoora, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah highlighted the responsible role of Maatam Heads and officials in preserving mourning ceremonies over the years, enhancing public safety, maintaining the religious and cultural character of the occasion, and ensuring that social peace and stability remain a priority.
The Interior Minister urged all parties to comply with laws and regulations in order to ensure the safety and security of participants.
General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah emphasised that no opportunity would be allowed for the politicisation of the occasion, violations of public order, breaches of the law, or the raising of flags and chanting of slogans linked to regional organisations and agendas that contravene with Bahrain’s national identity and principles.
The Interior Minister stressed that the Kingdom protects the exercise of religious rites guaranteed by law, while taking the necessary measures against those who seek to exploit religious occasions for political purposes.
General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah also stressed that mourning ceremonies related to the Wali Al Faqeeh are prohibited and subject to legal accountability, noting that the traditional Hussaini rituals observed in Bahrain predate the theories, interpretations and approach associated with Wilayat al-Faqih.
For their part, the Maatam Heads and officials commended the support extended to the Ashoora season by His Majesty the King and the government led by HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. They also highlighted the efforts of the relevant authorities in providing the services necessary to ensure the success of the season while preserving social cohesion, stability, and the spirit of cooperation among members of society.
