Bahraini candidates urged not to involve houses of worship in campaigning

Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry's Undersecretary for Islamic Affairs Dr. Farid Al-Meftah has stated that candidates to the parliamentary and municipal elections are banned from delivering religious sermons or leading worshippers in prayers throughout the electoral campaign, warning that violators will be held legally accountable.
He urged election candidates and voters not to involve houses of worship in the electoral campaigning, calling for the need to distance them from politics so as to preserve their sanctity and status.
He underlined that the elections, being an integral part of the democratic march spearheaded by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa through the National Action Charter, unanimously approved by the Bahraini people, represent a real partnership between the leadership and the people and, therefore, should be credible, transparent and be conducted according to the law.
Al-Mefah wished all candidates success, and called for the need not to involve religion in the electoral process or exploit houses of worship, be it by candidates or voters, stressing that the law will be applied against violators.
He said that based on the decisions of the High Election Committee, the Sunni and Jaafari Endowments issued circulars to their affiliate imams, preachers and scholars on the need not to use houses of worship for electoral campaigning.