Bahrain's Religious Diversity: A Comprehensive Overview

The constitution of Bahrain states that Islam is the official religion, with Sharia law as the principal source for legislation. It provides for freedom of conscience, the inviolability of worship, and the freedom to perform religious rites and hold religious parades and meetings.

According to the 2010 census, 99.8% of Bahraini citizens were Muslim, with the remaining 0.2% comprising Christians, Jews, Hindus, and Baháʼís. However, when including non-nationals, the Muslim population falls to 70.2%. The last official census in 1941 showed that 52% of the Muslim population were Shia and 48% were Sunni. In 2010, foreigners constituted 54% of the population, with 45% of them being Muslim and 55% non-Muslim.

The government does not publish statistics on the breakdown between Shia and Sunni Muslims, but most estimates state that Shia Muslims represent a majority (55-70%) of the citizen population. Shia Muslims have historically faced discrimination in recruitment for the military and domestic security services.

Bahrain allows non-Muslim groups to maintain their places of worship and display religious symbols. The government also funds all official religious institutions, including those of the Shia and Sunni branches of Islam.

The constitution of Bahrain states that Islam is the official religion and that Shari'a (Islamic law) is a principal source for legislation

Islam as the Official Religion and Sharia as a Principal Source for Legislation in Bahrain

The Constitution of Bahrain states that Islam is the official religion of the country and that Sharia (Islamic law) is a principal source for legislation. This means that while other religions are tolerated, Islam is given a privileged position in the country's legal and political system.

Freedom of Religion in Bahrain

Article 22 of the Bahraini Constitution provides for freedom of conscience, the inviolability of worship, and the freedom to perform religious rites, hold religious parades, and meetings. However, the government has placed some limitations on the exercise of these rights, particularly for minority religious groups. While the constitution guarantees freedom of religion, there are limits to this right, such as a prohibition on anti-Islamic writings. Every religious group must obtain a license from the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs (MOJIA) to operate and may need approval from other ministries for certain activities.

Sharia and Personal Status Law

Sharia, or Islamic law, plays a significant role in personal status law in Bahrain, governing matters such as inheritance, child custody, marriage, and divorce. The specific rights and interpretations of Sharia law can vary depending on whether an individual is Shia or Sunni. For example, in the absence of a direct male heir, a Shia woman may inherit all property, while a Sunni woman would inherit only a portion, with the rest going to male relatives.

Islamic Studies in Education

Islamic studies are mandatory for Muslim students in public schools and are based on Sunni theology, with proposals to include Shia traditions being rejected. The government has also been criticized for not including Shia doctrine in Islamic studies, which has led to dissatisfaction among the Shia community.

Religious Demographics of Bahrain

According to the 2010 census, 99.8% of Bahraini citizens identified as Muslim, with the remaining 1% consisting of Christians, Jews, Hindus, and Baha'is. However, when including non-national residents, the Muslim proportion decreases to 70.2%. Foreigners, mostly from South Asia and other Arab countries, constitute a significant portion of the population, and their religious affiliations vary.

While Bahrain's constitution establishes Islam as the official religion and Sharia as a principal source for legislation, it also provides for freedom of religion and conscience. However, the government has been criticized for limiting the religious freedom of certain groups, particularly the Shia community, and for not adequately representing Shia doctrine in educational curricula. The religious demographics of Bahrain are predominantly Muslim, with a small but diverse population of minority religious groups.

The government of Bahrain provides for freedom of conscience, the inviolability of worship, and the freedom to perform religious rites

Freedom of Religion in Bahrain

Article 22 of Bahrain's constitution provides for freedom of conscience, the inviolability of worship, and the freedom to perform religious rites and hold religious parades and meetings. However, the government has placed some limitations on the exercise of this right.

Freedom of Conscience

Bahrain's constitution states that "freedom of conscience is absolute". However, Article 23 qualifies that freedom of opinion and expression are allowed only if they do not "infringe the fundamentals of Islamic doctrine, prejudice national unity, or cause division or sectarianism".

Inviolability of Worship

The Bahraini constitution guarantees the inviolability of places of worship and the freedom to hold religious parades and gatherings, in accordance with the customs observed in the country.

Freedom to Perform Religious Rites

The Bahraini constitution provides for the freedom to perform religious rites. However, the government has placed some limitations on this right. For example, the government prohibits anti-Islamic publications and mandates imprisonment for "exposing the state's official religion to offence and criticism".

Limitations

Every religious group must obtain a license from the Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs (MOJIA) to operate. The government also requires religious groups to register with the Ministry of Labor and Social Development (MOLSD) to operate. Muslim religious groups must register with the MOJIA, while non-Muslim groups must register with the MOLSD. Religious groups may also need approval from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Information, or the Ministry of Interior, depending on the nature of their activities.

The government also prohibits holding religious meetings without a permit. Additionally, the law prohibits activities that fall outside of an organization's charter, and the penal code provides for the closing of any unlicensed branch of an international organization.

The government also regulates the content of religious sermons, bringing charges against clerics who speak on unapproved topics. The MOJIA monitors clerics' adherence to a pledge of ethics it created for individuals engaged in religious discourse.

The government of Bahrain prohibits anti-Islamic publications and mandates imprisonment for exposing the state's official religion to offence and criticism

The Government of Bahrain's Stance on Anti-Islamic Publications and Criticism of the Official Religion

Freedom of Religion and Expression in Bahrain

The Bahraini constitution provides for freedom of conscience, the inviolability of places of worship, and the freedom to perform religious rites. It also guarantees the right to express and publish opinions, as long as these do not infringe on the fundamental beliefs of Islamic doctrine. However, the government has been known to place some limitations on the exercise of these rights.

Anti-Islamic Publications

The law prohibits anti-Islamic publications and broadcast media programs but does not explicitly define what constitutes "anti-Islamic" content. It mandates imprisonment of no less than six months for exposing the state's official religion to offence and criticism. The law states that any publication that prejudices the ruling system of the country and its official religion can be banned from publication by a ministerial order.

Criticism of the Official Religion

The government has been known to detain and arrest clerics and members of the Shia community for their sermons, particularly in the days leading up to and following the Ashura commemoration, one of the most significant days on the Shia religious calendar.

Charges and Punishments

Individuals who are found to have defamed religious figures or sacred texts may face charges and punishments such as imprisonment and fines. The penal code calls for punishment of up to one year's imprisonment or a fine of up to 100 dinars ($260 to $270) for offending or defaming a religious group or its practices.

International Concerns

The treatment of Shia religious figures in Bahrain has raised concerns among international organisations such as the UN Economic and Social Council's Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ECOSOC) and the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC). They have expressed worry about reports of harassment, intimidation, arrests, and detention of Shia religious figures, as well as restrictions on their rights to worship and profess their beliefs.

The government of Bahrain does not publish statistics regarding the breakdown between the Shia and Sunni Muslim populations

The exact ratio of Shia to Sunni Muslims in Bahrain is unknown, but most estimates from NGOs state that Shia Muslims represent a majority (between 55 and 60%) of the citizen population. This is in contrast to the last official census in 1941, which showed that 52% of Muslims in Bahrain were Shia, with the remaining 48% being Sunni.

The religious breakdown in Bahrain has been a source of tension and political controversy. During the 1980s, unofficial sources estimated that Sunnis made up 45% of the population, while Shias accounted for 55%. However, an official Bahraini document published in 2011 revealed a shift, with 51% of citizens identified as Sunnis and 49% as Shias.

The religious dynamic in Bahrain is further complicated by the presence of foreign residents, who constitute a significant portion of the overall population. Among this group, approximately 51% are Muslim, while the remaining belong to other faiths or are non-religious.

The lack of official data on the religious breakdown between Shia and Sunni Muslims in Bahrain has not prevented the government from taking actions that favor one group over the other. Shia Muslims have often complained of political repression and economic marginalization, and they made up a significant portion of the protestors during the 2011 Arab Spring uprising. Additionally, there have been reports of preferential treatment for Sunnis in areas such as public sector employment and education.

The religious landscape in Bahrain is diverse, with small but notable populations of Christians, Hindus, Jews, Baháʼís, Buddhists, and Sikhs. While Islam is the official religion, the constitution provides for freedom of conscience, inviolability of worship, and freedom to perform religious rites for all citizens. However, there have been instances of restrictions and discrimination against minority religious groups, particularly when it comes to the construction of places of worship and the approval of religious curricula.

The government of Bahrain has been criticised for discriminating against Shia citizens and giving preferential treatment to Sunni citizens

The Kingdom of Bahrain is a small island nation situated between Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the Persian Gulf. It is home to a diverse array of ethnic and religious groups, with the population consisting primarily of two major religious sects of Islam: Shia and Sunni. According to various estimates, Shia Muslims constitute anywhere between 55% to 70% of Bahrain's citizen population, while Sunni Muslims make up the remaining 30% to 45%. This religious diversity is a key characteristic of the country's social fabric. However, the government of Bahrain has been the subject of intense criticism for its treatment of Shia citizens, with many accusing the authorities of systemic discrimination and preferential treatment for Sunnis.

Criticism of the Bahraini government's religious policies is not a new phenomenon. For decades, Shia citizens have alleged that they are marginalized and underrepresented in key sectors, including politics, the military, and the security forces. Despite comprising a significant majority of the population, Shia Muslims have historically held fewer positions of power and influence compared to their Sunni counterparts. This imbalance has led to widespread perceptions of systemic discrimination and has fueled tensions between the two communities. The Bahraini government has been accused of actively promoting Sunni interests while neglecting or suppressing Shia ones.

One of the most significant points of contention is the allegation that the government systematically offers preferential treatment to Sunni citizens in various sectors. For instance, Shia Bahrainis claim that they face discrimination in education and employment opportunities. They assert that Sunni Muslims are given priority in hiring for prestigious or high-paying jobs, particularly in the public sector, while Shia applicants are often passed over or offered lower-level positions. In the education system, Shia students and parents have long complained of a Sunni-biased curriculum that fails to adequately represent their history, culture, and religious teachings. This perceived bias has led to feelings of exclusion and resentment within the Shia community.

The military and security forces are another area of concern. Shia citizens are reportedly underrepresented in these institutions, with Sunnis holding a disproportionate number of leadership positions. This imbalance has significant implications for the country's stability, as it contributes to a sense of distrust and insecurity among Shia Bahrainis, who feel that the institutions meant to protect them are dominated by another religious group. The government's response to protests and political opposition has further exacerbated these tensions. In 2011, during the Arab Spring uprisings, Bahrain witnessed widespread protests led predominantly by Shia citizens demanding political reforms and an end to discrimination.

The Bahraini government's response to these criticisms has been varied. In some instances, they have implemented reforms aimed at improving religious equality and representation. For example, they introduced laws prohibiting discrimination based on religion and established institutions to investigate and address complaints of religious discrimination. However, critics argue that enforcement of these laws remains inconsistent and that the institutions often lack the power or independence necessary to effect meaningful change. In other cases, the government has denied the existence of any discrimination and attributed the criticisms to external influences or political motivations. They emphasize that Bahrain is a tolerant and inclusive society, and they highlight the presence of Shia Muslims in prominent positions within the government as evidence of equal opportunity.

To conclude, the government of Bahrain has faced substantial criticism for its treatment of Shia citizens, with allegations of systemic discrimination and preferential treatment for Sunnis. These criticisms highlight the complex religious dynamics within the country and the ongoing struggle for equal rights and representation. While the Bahraini government has taken some steps to address these issues, many believe that more needs to be done to foster an environment of true equality and social cohesion. It remains a challenging and ongoing process, requiring continued dialogue, reform, and a commitment to protecting the rights of all citizens, regardless of their religious affiliation.

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