Statement by NIHR Chairperson on the Annual Meeting of the Minister of Interior with Heads and Officials of Matams on the Occasion of the Ashura Season
Eng. Ali Ahmed Alderazi, Chairperson of the National Institution for Human Rights (NIHR), underscored the importance of the annual meeting held by General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior, with heads and officials of matams across the Kingdom’s governorates regarding preparations for the Ashura season. He noted that the meeting reflects a commitment to promoting dialogue and community coordination, as well as ensuring an enabling environment for the practice of religious rites within a framework of security, public order, and respect for the rule of law.
Alderazi stated that freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, including the freedom to manifest and observe religious rites, constitutes one of the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain and relevant international human rights instruments. He noted that NIHR, through its monitoring and field follow-up activities conducted over the past years, has closely observed the exercise of religious rites during the Ashura season. Its observations have confirmed the continued facilitation of religious practices and observance of related occasions by citizens and residents, as well as inmates of correction and rehabilitation centers and places of detention, within the framework of the applicable legal guarantees and regulations.
He further stated that the Institution views positively the emphasis placed on protecting the lawful exercise of religious rites, in a manner consistent with the importance of safeguarding community security, civil peace, and respect for the rule of law. He stressed that the consolidation of these principles requires continued cooperation and coordination among official authorities, civil society organizations, and those responsible for matams and religious events. Such cooperation contributes to the successful observance of the Ashura season, preserves its religious, cultural, and social character, and strengthens social cohesion.
