Don’t mix religion with politics, says Bahrain MP

Manama : An independent MP has insisted on segregating religious platforms from politics.

Parliament’s Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee member MP Khalid Al Shaer called for preventing religious scholars from involving themselves in politics.

Al Shaer’s statements came in support of a law proposal that was submitted recently aiming to curb preachers from being involved in politics and head political societies and assemblies.

“People working in the judicial, military, diplomatic and other social fields are prevented from having a role in institutional and political parties. It’s about time to do the same for religious figures,” the MP said.

Al Shaer wondered how some political parties are calling for a Civil State system in Bahrain while they support religious scholars who are interfering in the political life and promote sedition among the different segments of the society.

“This is in contrast with the simplest concepts of democracy, human rights and international conventions, which some are trying to manipulate,” Al Shaer claimed.

The MP added that religious figures are citizens who deserve all the rights granted to ordinary citizens, “but once they take a step into politics, they should forget about religious platforms, as they’re completely different fields.”