Bahrain Parliament to Debate Bill Including Imams and Muezzins in Civil Service

The Bahraini Parliament will resume debate next Tuesday on a proposed law that seeks to integrate the positions of Imam and Muezzin into the national civil service system. The bill, introduced by MPs Khalid Buanaq, Ahmed Al Salloom, Hanan Fardan, Basma Mubarak, and Maryam Al Saegh aims to include imams and muezzins in the general salary scales and benefit packages afforded to other government employees.

The proposal, initially presented on October 29th, 2024, was referred to the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee for further review. The committee's report indicates agreement with the proposers on amendments and revised wording, leading to its re-submission for parliamentary vote on Tuesday.

The six-article bill proposes including Bahraini imams and muezzins employed by the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments under the Civil Service Bureau's shift system. A full-time Bahraini imam with a bachelor's degree or equivalent in Islamic studies would be placed at grade eight, while a full-time muezzin with similar qualifications would receive grade seven.

The Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee has expressed its support for the bill. While the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments stated it could not offer an opinion before receiving government input, the Civil Service Bureau confirmed that existing civil service regulations already apply to full-time Bahraini religious personnel where no specific provisions exist in the current Imam and Muezzin regulations.

Proponents argue the bill will enhance the vital role of imams and muezzins in promoting religious and moral values by providing better financial and social support. It aims to elevate their status, encourage Bahraini youth to pursue these roles (despite current reluctance despite a large pool of graduates in religious studies), and create more attractive employment opportunities.

"The inclusion in the civil service system would provide greater job security and benefits, fostering professional and academic development, and ultimately contributing to reducing unemployment among graduates of Islamic studies," they stated.