Sunni Endowment tells candidates to take leave until end of elections

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Preachers, imams, and muezzins wishing to run for the upcoming parliamentary and municipal elections were asked to take official leaves starting the 10th of October and until the end of the electoral process.

This is according to a circular issued by the Sunni Endowments based on the directives of the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister, Nawaf bin Mohammed Al-Maawda. The circular also forbids candidates from using mosques and their annexes in electoral campaigns.

Violators will be held legally accountable, warns the circular. The ministry also prohibits delivering statements or sermons before and after Friday prayers, except for the translation of sermons in the authorised mosques.

“Lessons or sermons shall not be given in mosques unless official approvals have been obtained from the Sunni Endowments Directorate,” the circular said.