Alwefaq Society

The @UNHumanRights has published @ALWEFAQ’s report documenting Bahrain’s mass arrests of religious scholars, citizenship revocations, political imprisonment, and restrictions on religious freedom. Read more: t.me/Alwefaq_Society/15118

#Bahrain: Hunger Strikers at Jaw Prison Reach 133 The number of political prisoners on hunger strike at Bahrain’s Jaw Central Prison has risen to 133, as the protest enters its third week. Read More: t.me/Alwefaq_Society/15066

#Bahrain recruits over 1,800 mercenaries from #Pakistan into its National Guard, exposing the regime’s reliance on foreign forces while sidelining citizens from their own country’s security institutions. Read more: t.me/Alwefaq_Society/15016

#Bahrain’s Scholars Declare Full Support for Grand Ayatollah Isa Qassim's Appeal, Condemn Detention of Religious Scholars 18 July 2026 Bahrain's Scholars has issued a statement declaring its full support for the appeal made by Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Ahmed Qassim, expressing concern over the escalating pressure on the Shi'a community in Bahrain and the detention of religious scholars. The statement stressed that remaining silent is no longer acceptable in the face of what it characterized as growing violations against religious figures. "When injustice becomes widespread, truth is dishonored, and religious scholars are targeted in their dignity and freedom, silence is no longer an option," the statement said, adding that "speaking out becomes a duty, and taking a principled stand becomes an obligation." The scholars expressed solidarity with @AyatollahQassim, saying they "declare our full support and sincere solidarity with the appeal issued" by him, describing his message as reflecting "the painful reality experienced by the followers of this long-established school of thought in Bahrain" and what they called "an accurate assessment of the seriousness of the current threat." According to the statement, the Shi'a community in Bahrain is facing "a severe existential threat," citing alleged restrictions on religious scholars, preachers, and religious educators, the detention of prominent scholars and young activists, the suppression of religious rituals, and the confiscation of Ja'fari endowments (awqaf). The statement further asserted that "the political rights and all rights of citizenship of Shi'a citizens in Bahrain are inherent rights that are neither to be sought as favors nor granted as acts of benevolence," describing them instead as "religious and constitutional entitlements that are not subject to compromise or postponement." The scholars also condemned the pursuit, detention, and prosecution of religious scholars, preachers, and religious educators. They said that such measures constitute "targeting not only individuals but also a long-established religious identity and a scholarly mission that has long served the Muslim community through knowledge and guidance." Concluding the statement, Bahrain's Scholars appealed to "the conscience of all free people across the world" and urged governments and peoples to act against what they described as ongoing violations, stating that "silence in the face of oppression is... a form of complicity." The statement ended by renewing the group's commitment to supporting what it described as the oppressed and praying for the release of detainees and the restoration of justice.

Bahrain’s Scholars Hold Authorities Responsible for Safety of Detained Shia Clerics, Demand Immediate Release #Bahrain’s Scholars has issued a statement condemning the detention of #Shia religious scholars in Bahrain, holding the country's authorities fully responsible for their safety and calling for their immediate and unconditional release. The statement confirms that the recent arrests are part of a broader campaign targeting Bahrain's Shia religious establishment and seeking to weaken the role of religious leadership. It states that numerous scholars have been detained on what it describes as fabricated charges lacking factual or legal basis. According to the statement, the detainees have been subjected to physical and psychological abuse while in custody. It further affirms that they were forced to sign confessions and official statements without being permitted to review their contents, describing these practices as violations of fundamental principles of justice and internationally recognized human rights. The statement also states that the detained scholars were threatened with the revocation of their citizenship, denied access to legal representation and family visits, and subjected to insults directed at their religion and religious denomination. "The matter has gone beyond arbitrary detention," the statement maintains, affirming that the scholars had been exposed to "various forms of physical and psychological torture" and coerced into signing documents "without being allowed to review their contents." Describing religious scholars as the custodians of faith and guardians of Islamic scholarship, the statement stresses that their role in preserving the community's religious identity cannot be diminished through imprisonment or intimidation. "The issue of the scholars can never be forgotten," the statement maintains, adding that attempts to silence religious authorities would not weaken public attachment to them. In a series of demands, the group condemns the campaign targeting Bahrain's Shia community and its religious leaders, calling for the immediate release of all detained scholars, the dismissal of all charges against them, and an end to what it alleged were acts of torture, abuse, and mistreatment. The statement further declares that it holds the Bahraini authorities "fully responsible for the safety and well-being of the detained scholars and for any physical or psychological harm that may result from their arbitrary detention." It also asserts that targeting religious scholars would only reinforce believers' commitment to their faith, stating that "religious knowledge and jurisprudence cannot be imprisoned or silenced through intimidation." The statement concludes by invoking a saying attributed to Imam Hussein, describing it as a source of inspiration for steadfastness in the face of injustice, before ending with a traditional Islamic supplication.

Bahraini Cleric Sheikh Mohammed Mansi Condemns Arrest of #Shia Scholars, Calls for Action Against Alleged Abuses Bahraini cleric Sheikh Mohammed Al Mansi @mohammedalmansi has strongly condemned the Bahraini authorities over the ongoing detention of dozens of Shia religious figures, describing the campaign as an unprecedented escalation against the country's Shia community and religious establishment. The prominent cleric said the treatment of detained scholars reflects an openly declared campaign against #Bahrain's Shia population, accusing the authorities of disregarding constitutional guarantees, legal standards, and international human rights principles. "The war against the Shia in Bahrain has reached an unprecedented level of openness, disregard, and contempt for all covenants, constitutions, and legal and human rights principles," Sheikh Al Mansi said. He argued that the arrest of a large number of Bahraini scholars, clerics, and religious chanters marked a significant escalation, conforming that the detainees were subjected to enforced disappearance, public defamation, predetermined accusations, and what he described as unfair judicial proceedings. "What began with abductions under the name of arrests, enforced disappearance, public humiliation, and predetermined accusations has culminated in the farce of an unjust trial and the gradual revelation of what the detainees have endured in secret prisons," he said. Sheikh Al Mansi further stressed that detained clerics had been subjected to physical and psychological abuse, threats, and sectarian insults while in custody. He also accused security personnel of insulting Shia religious beliefs and revered figures. "The abuse of these respected scholars through physical and psychological torture, threats, and insults directed at the Shia school of thought and its sacred figures constitutes an insult not only to them, but to the believing people and to the entire Shia community," he stated. Calling on religious authorities, public figures, and broader society to respond, Sheikh Al Mansi urged a strong and effective stance to end the alleged abuses and prevent further escalation. "Everyone, each from their own position, is required to take a strong and effective stand to lift this injustice, stop this madness, and prevent playing with fire—for the sake of the country and its people. This is not how nations are governed nor how peoples are ruled," he concluded.

Ayatollah Qassim of Bahrain Warns of Existential Threat to Bahrain’s Shia Community, Calls for Restoration of Political Rights #Bahrain's highest religious authority, @AyatollahQassim, has issued a strongly worded statement warning that the country's #Shia community faces an unprecedented erosion of its political and civil rights, while describing the future of its religious institutions and leadership as being under an existential threat. In a statement dated 30 Muharram 1448 AH (15 July 2026), the senior cleric asserted that the political rights of Bahrain's Shia citizens, along with their broader rights as equal citizens, have been diminished to the point that "scarcely anything remains of them." Ayatollah Qassim called upon Muslims worldwide to respond to what he described as ongoing injustice, asking: "Is there no one who will denounce this oppression? Is there no one who will enjoin what is right? Is there no one—among the peoples and governments of the Muslim world across the globe—who will rise in righteous indignation for the sake of Allah?" --- Full Statement Statement by Bahrain's Highest Religious Authority, Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Ahmed Qassim In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful The political rights of Bahrain's Shia citizens, together with their broader rights as citizens, have been subjected to such profound erosion that scarcely anything remains of them. The denial of these legitimate rights by the authorities has expanded extensively and reached an intolerable level. There can be no compromise in the pursuit of restoring these rights. The demand for their full reinstatement must continue with unwavering determination and seriousness. The day must inevitably come when these rights are returned to their rightful holders, in accordance with both religious principles and constitutional guarantees. Meanwhile, the very future of the Shia school of Islam in Bahrain—its scholars, preachers, writers, teachers, religious educators, and all those who provide guidance and answer the public's questions concerning its beliefs and jurisprudence—is facing an acute existential threat. This also encompasses those who remain imprisoned and are subjected to unjust trials and other grave violations. Is there no one who will denounce this oppression? Is there no one who will enjoin what is right? Is there no one—among the peoples and governments of the Muslim world across the globe—who will rise in righteous indignation for the sake of Allah? O Supporter of the oppressed, grant us Your victory, for You know better than anyone the condition of the oppressors and the oppressed among Your servants. Isa Ahmed Qassim 30 Muharram 1448 AH 15 July 2026

Bahrain Opposition Condemns Mass Trial of Shiite Clerics, Calls It a Sectarian Campaign July 9, 2026 — #Bahrain’s opposition groups, including @ALWEFAQ, have strongly condemned the ongoing prosecution of more than 50 prominent #Shiite religious scholars, describing the proceedings as a politically motivated and sectarian campaign targeting the country's religious leadership amid heightened regional tensions. In a joint statement issued on Thursday, the opposition said the trial, which began on July 5, targets senior Shiite clerics, including Grand @AyatollahQassim, seminary professors, and Friday prayer leaders. The oppostion groups stated that the charges are linked to the regional conflict involving Iran and represent retaliation against Bahrain's Shiite community for its public opposition to the war. The statement accused the Bahraini authorities of pursuing "a rapidly escalating course of sectarian violations and abuses" since the outbreak of the conflict involving #Iran    confirming that the prosecution reflects an effort to punish Bahrain's Shiite population rather than address legitimate legal concerns. "The unjust trial of more than 50 senior Bahraini scholars and religious figures is based on fabricated charges connected to the American-Zionist war against the Islamic Republic of Iran and constitutes retaliation against the people of Bahrain for rejecting that war," the opposition said. According to the statement, the opposition believes the legal proceedings form part of a broader policy of religious persecution, claiming that the government is seeking to suppress Shiite religious institutions and leadership through judicial means. The groups further maintained that the prosecution violates both Bahrain's domestic legal framework and international human rights obligations, accusing the authorities of disregarding international conventions, humanitarian principles, and religious freedoms. "Bringing senior scholars to trial represents a reckless escalation in the state's campaign against the Shiite community and deepens the unprecedented political and social divisions created by authoritarian rule," the statement read. The opposition warned that the prosecution of Bahrain's leading clerics could further increase domestic tensions and undermine social stability, warning that the country's religious scholars have historically played an important role in preserving national unity and protecting Bahrain's social fabric. "Our scholars and the religious figures detained in prisons are symbols of the nation's dignity and identity. They have consistently worked to preserve the unity of the people and defend the country's authentic values," the statement said. The opposition also rejected the accusations against the clerics, describing them as politically motivated and comparable to what it called previous judicial cases targeting dissidents over past decades. Concluding its statement, Bahrain's opposition called on the authorities to immediately halt the trial, drop all charges against the clerics, and release all detained religious figures without conditions. "We call on the authorities to stop this unjust trial, dismiss all fabricated charges, release the scholars and all detainees immediately and unconditionally, end the campaign against the people's religion and religious practices, and refrain from further involving Bahrain in regional military alliances," the statement concluded. The opposition further urged the government to address the country's political crisis through dialogue and by responding to what it described as the Bahraini people's legitimate rights and demands, warning that continued repression would only strengthen public determination to defend the country's identity and national sovereignty.

Al-Wefaq: Bahrain’s Longest Suspension of Shiite Friday Prayers Reflects Escalating Religious Persecution #Bahrain’s opposition society, @ALWEFAQ National Islamic Society, says the country’s Shiite majority has been deprived of its central Friday prayers for one year and nine months, describing the measure as part of a broader campaign targeting Shiite religious identity and institutions. In a statement, Al-Wefaq said that the authorities have prevented worshippers from holding Friday prayers at Imam Al-Sadiq Mosque in the village of Diraz since October 2024. The mosque traditionally hosted thousands of worshippers who traveled from across Bahrain each week to attend the congregation. According to the society, the suspension began after security authorities arrested the mosque’s Friday prayer leader (now detained), Sheikh Ali Al-Siddiqi, following a sermon in which he mourned the late Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah and condemned Israeli military operations in Gaza and Lebanon. Although the cleric was later released, Al-Wefaq said the weekly prayers have never resumed. "Bahrain's #Shiite community has remained without its principal Friday prayer for one year and nine months, following the authorities' decision to halt the congregation by force." The statement further alleged that security forces imposed a weekly security cordon around Diraz in the weeks following the ban, using force and tear gas to disperse worshippers and prevent them from reaching the mosque. Al-Wefaq also recalled comments made at the time by Grand @AyatollahQassim, who described the campaign against Friday prayers as "a weekly war against the mosque and prayer carried out on behalf of the Zionists," arguing that it served the interests of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The opposition group linked the suspension of Friday prayers to what it described as a wider escalation against Shiite religious leaders. It said Bahraini authorities have arrested 41 Shiite clerics, including three leading Friday prayer imams and several mosque prayer leaders, following the outbreak of the Iran-Israel conflict in 2026. "The prohibition of Friday prayers is not an isolated measure but part of an expanding campaign targeting Shiite scholars, religious institutions, and fundamental acts of worship." Al-Wefaq argued that Bahrain is witnessing an unprecedented wave of sectarian restrictions affecting Shiite religious life. According to the statement, the campaign extends beyond the closure of Friday prayers to include arrests of senior clerics and seminary teachers, pressure on Jaafari religious endowments, restrictions on mourning halls and Ashura processions, as well as citizenship revocations. The society concluded that these measures constitute one of the most severe periods of religious persecution experienced by Bahrain's Shiite community in recent years, calling for an end to policies that restrict religious freedoms and collective worship.

The Judicialization of Belief: Weaponizing the Legal System Against #Shia Scholars in Bahrain The fundamental right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion is a cornerstone of international human rights law. However, recent legal proceedings against religious scholars and community figures in #Bahrain reveal a deeply concerning trend: the transformation of legitimate religious expression and peaceful dissent into punishable criminal offenses. Through targeted prosecutions, the judicial system is increasingly utilized not as a tool for justice, but as an instrument of political and sectarian subjugation. A critical examination of these trials exposes severe systemic and procedural violations that fundamentally undermine the right to a fair trial. The judiciary frequently compromises its independence by aligning with state security narratives, effectively blurring the lines between peaceful theological discourse and criminal conduct. This conflation according to @ALWEFAQ is often manifested through pre-emptive terrorism charges leveled against scholars before any thorough or transparent judicial adjudication has taken place. Furthermore, the regime routinely infringes upon essential legal safeguards. Defendants face prolonged incommunicado detention, exposing them to a heightened risk of torture and coercive interrogation tactics designed to extract confessions. Simultaneously, systemic barriers prevent adequate legal representation, directly violating the right to a robust defense. By allowing pre-conceived political bias to dictate judicial outcomes, the courts actively dismantle the presumption of innocence. These practices do not merely target individuals; they aim to suppress institutional religious autonomy and silence critical communal voices. To prevent the complete erosion of the rule of law, international oversight bodies and human rights organizations must urgently demand that the Bahraini authorities halt these politically motivated prosecutions, uphold international fair trial standards, and decouple freedom of belief from national security framework parameters.

Al-Wefaq Condemns Bahrain’s Unprecedented Ashura Restrictions, Warns of Escalating Religious Freedom Violations @ALWEFAQ National Islamic Society has issued a strongly worded statement condemning the unprecedented campaign of restrictions imposed during this year's #Ashura commemorations in #Bahrain, accusing the authorities of carrying out systematic measures targeting religious rituals, community institutions, and participants throughout the sacred season. According to the statement, this year's Ashura witnessed "an unprecedented package of violations" that included summons for questioning, arrests, restrictions on Hussainiyas and mourning processions, and measures affecting Hussaini reciters, clerics, and administrators of religious institutions. Al-Wefaq stressed that these actions disrupted long-established religious activities and prevented dozens of individuals from performing their customary religious duties. The society rejected official claims that the measures were intended to regulate the observances, asserting instead that the restrictions reflected a deliberate policy of control over every aspect of Ashura. "The practices carried out by the authorities are not intended for organization," the statement said, adding that the objective was "to restrict the season, shackle it, dominate every detail of it, and obstruct its observance." Questioning the rationale behind the measures, Al-Wefaq asked why numerous reciters and preachers had been prevented from carrying out their religious roles, why permissions and conditions were reportedly imposed through telephone calls, why mourning processions faced restrictions until the seventh night of Muharram, and why participants were prohibited from displaying images of their religious authorities. The statement further added that these policies form part of what it described as "a comprehensive campaign against the country's indigenous Shia community." It linked the Ashura restrictions to broader allegations involving the arrest of religious scholars, state intervention in religious affairs, restrictions on religious endowments, sectarian discrimination, citizenship revocations, and what it characterized as campaigns of incitement and hate speech. In parallel, Al-Wefaq praised participants who continued to observe Ashura, expressing appreciation for those who preserved the commemorations "despite threats, directives, and continuous intimidation" that it said had affected the spiritual atmosphere of the occasion. Calling on citizens to continue exercising their legitimate religious rights, the society maintained that the restrictions are inconsistent with Bahrain's Constitution and incompatible with international human rights obligations protecting freedom of religion and peaceful assembly. The statement concluded by stressing that lasting stability cannot be achieved through coercive governance. "Any authority that respects itself and adheres to the principles of justice would never confront its own people in such a hostile manner," Al-Wefaq said. It further asserted that Bahrain requires "a just and balanced political system," including "a government that represents the people, a genuine parliament reflecting the popular will, and fair policies founded on coexistence, equal opportunities, and balanced governance." The statement was issued by Al-Wefaq on 1 July 2026.

@ALWEFAQ Condemns #Bahrain’s Interior Ministry’s Actions as an Unprecedented Encroachment on Religious Affairs In a dangerous and unprecedented development, Bahrain’s Ministry of Interior has taken it upon itself to introduce what Al-Wefaq describes as a new religion and a new set of religious rulings that align with the ministry’s security doctrine. According to the statement, these rulings and directives are being imposed in the form of mandatory orders and obligations, enforced through threats and coercion, with compulsory compliance demanded for everything that is issued. The statement added that the Bahraini government has crossed all red lines in its treatment of the Shia community, describing the scale of persecution and contempt as unprecedented. Al Wefaq affirmed that the authorities have intensified their targeting of religious beliefs and sacred symbols while exploiting their control over the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as military and security institutions. It asserted that the government is effectively exercising absolute authority over people’s religion and religious practices, exceeding even what it describes as the authority of God Almighty and the authority of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The society stated that the continuation of these assaults and organized official intimidation, carried out according to a deliberate and systematic plan, can no longer be accepted. It called for the immediate cessation of these unlawful and illegitimate measures, for the rights and dignity of Shia citizens to be respected in their own country, and for Bahrain’s rulers to stop providing what it termed a “green light” for this historical crime. Al-Wefaq further asserted that all such arbitrary and unjust decisions will ultimately fail to achieve their objectives and will collapse because they contradict religion, Islamic law, domestic law, and international laws, treaties, and conventions. The society emphasized that these practices are directed by the ruling authorities themselves and are not attributable to any other party. It also stated that Bahrain’s Sunni community does not approve of the regime’s conduct, noting that numerous messages and indications from citizens demonstrate widespread rejection of the policies of normalization and impoverishment. According to the statement, all components of Bahraini society are being targeted by the ruling authorities, albeit through different methods and under different pretexts. Al-Wefaq underscored that the Bahraini government’s inability to manage its internal crises, its poor handling of regional and international issues, and its repeated failures and confusion have become a burden on Bahrain and its people. The statement further accused the authorities of attempting to place the Bahraini people at the center of regional disputes and conflicts, describing such behavior as disgraceful and unacceptable. The society concluded by asserting that Bahrain is experiencing the absence of a social contract, the lack of a consensual constitutional framework, and the collapse of even the most basic understandings between the people and the ruling system. It warned that this situation is the root cause of ongoing problems, mistrust, instability, the erosion of peace, and a persistent sense of insecurity. According to the statement, these crises can only be resolved through a comprehensive constitutional and political settlement, while the traditional methods of dealing with the authorities are no longer suitable or safe under what it described as the current unchecked approach to governance.

Bahrain Escalates Muharram Crackdown with Arrest of 12 More Shia Religious and Community Figures #Bahrain’s regime has launched a fresh wave of arrests, detaining 12 prominent #Shia religious, cultural, and community figures on Wednesday morning, according to local reports. The latest detentions bring the total number of citizens reportedly arrested in recent days to more than 50, following the earlier arrest of at least 41 clerics, preachers, and community activists. Up to the time of compiling this report,those reportedly detained are: 1) Sayyed Yassin Al-Mousawi, a cleric 2) Sheikh Jaafar Ashoor, a preacher 3) Issa Nizar, a eulogist (Radood) 4) Haj Ahmed Abdullah Al-Rais, a respected community figure 5) Radhi Al-Qatari, a cultural activist 6) Sheikh Ali Al-Mustarshid, a former political detainee & preacher 7) Sheikh Nadhir Al-Malik, a cleric 8) Haj Jameel Al-Aqeefa, a community figure 9) Haj Fakhri Al-Rashed, a community figure 10) Ahmed Qurban, a eulogist (Radood) 11) Dr. Sayed Hashem Al-Mousawi, an economic expert 12) Sheikh Mahmoud Taheri, a preacher The arrests span a broad cross-section of Bahraini Shia society, targeting clerics, preachers, eulogists, cultural activists, academics, and respected community leaders from different regions of the country. Observers confirm that the breadth of the campaign reflects an unprecedented escalation in pressure on religious and social figures ahead of the sacred months of #Muharram and #Safar. @ALWEFAQ has described the detentions as part of a wider pattern of restrictions on religious expression and assembly. The latest arrests have intensified concerns over the shrinking civic and religious space in Bahrain, particularly as Shia communities prepare for annual #Ashura commemorations. Opposition groups and rights organizations have called for the immediate release of all detainees, warning that the continuing crackdown risks further inflaming tensions and undermining fundamental rights to religious practice, freedom of expression, and peaceful community engagement.

Closure of the Islamic Awareness Society: Civil Society Suppression and Religious Persecution in Bahrain According to @ALWEFAQ National Islamic Society, Bahrain’s regime has again targeted the Islamic Awareness Society @tawiya — #Bahrain’s largest Shiite religious outreach and cultural institution — as part of a continuing campaign against the #Shiite community and independent civic space. The repressive move reflects a wider pattern of restrictions imposed on religious and civil institutions, raising concerns over state control, judicial intervention, and the shrinking role of independent organizations in Bahrain. Beyond the political dispute itself, the case raises a broader and unavoidable question — Does the state fear independent civil society? The issue extends far beyond one association. It highlights a political environment in which religious, civic, and political organizations appear acceptable only when operating within officially defined limits. Once independence emerges, the outcome increasingly seems familiar: dissolution, marginalization, legal proceedings, or administrative restrictions. The Islamic Awareness Society (established in 1972) was dissolved in 2016 during a period widely regarded as one of the most severe crackdowns affecting Bahrain’s Shiite community. The period also witnessed the dissolution of Al Wefaq Society too, and measures directed at His Eminence @AyatollahQassim. Although authorities reversed the dissolution in 2022 and reinstated the society under temporary management, the deeper issue remained unresolved: independent institutions were still expected to function under extensive official oversight. The pattern is increasingly difficult to dismiss. Civil organizations often appear to face a binary choice: align completely with state-defined frameworks or risk legal and political consequences. Administrative shortcomings that could otherwise be addressed through guidance or corrective measures instead escalate rapidly into judicial proceedings and institutional threats. Restrictions surrounding Friday central prayers at the Diraz Mosque further reinforce the perception that closure and restriction have replaced dialogue and accommodation. The message appears increasingly clear: civic and religious activity is accepted only when it reflects state policy. Independence becomes suspicion, criticism becomes liability, and pluralism is transformed into a security concern. The result is not partnership with civil society, but its systematic contraction.