In a recent statement, Bahrain’s exiled senior Shia religious authority, Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassem, underscored the pivotal role of faith in shaping social cohesion and political legitimacy.
His Eminence emphasized that sincere religious belief naturally elevates faith above all other values in a society, stating that religion becomes “the dearest thing to them,” with nothing surpassing its sanctity or reverence.
Full statement of
AyatollahQassim
In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful,
and blessings and peace be upon the noblest of prophets and messengers, Muhammad and his pure, immaculate family.
There is no person, people, or nation whose faith in a religion is sincere except that this religion becomes the dearest thing to them, with nothing taking precedence over respecting and sanctifying it.
When the faith of a nation and the ruling authority are united upon one religion and one type of politics, this creates great harmony between the two sides, a powerful positive relationship, significant progress in conditions, and a high level of advancement in human life—provided that this religion is truly divine and possesses a comprehensive life-guiding system, as Islam does.
When the faith of the nation and the faith of the ruling authority diverge, and when the politics preferred by the nation differs from that adopted by the authority, this becomes a source of escalating problems between the two sides and corruption in their relationship, with severe negative consequences affecting all aspects of their lives.
However, if politics insists on imposing its view on all aspects of people’s lives and behavior in ways that contradict the nation’s faith, sanctities, and symbols, then life will become intolerable and the structure of the shared society between both sides will collapse. This is something that should not be doubted, nor should there be any confusion about it.
Isa Ahmad Qassem
1 Dhu al-Hijjah 1447
18 May 2026
