18 July 2026
Bahrain's Scholars has issued a statement declaring its full support for the appeal made by Grand Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Ahmed Qassim, expressing concern over the escalating pressure on the Shi'a community in Bahrain and the detention of religious scholars.
The statement stressed that remaining silent is no longer acceptable in the face of what it characterized as growing violations against religious figures.
"When injustice becomes widespread, truth is dishonored, and religious scholars are targeted in their dignity and freedom, silence is no longer an option," the statement said, adding that "speaking out becomes a duty, and taking a principled stand becomes an obligation."
The scholars expressed solidarity with
AyatollahQassim
, saying they "declare our full support and sincere solidarity with the appeal issued" by him, describing his message as reflecting "the painful reality experienced by the followers of this long-established school of thought in Bahrain" and what they called "an accurate assessment of the seriousness of the current threat."
According to the statement, the Shi'a community in Bahrain is facing "a severe existential threat," citing alleged restrictions on religious scholars, preachers, and religious educators, the detention of prominent scholars and young activists, the suppression of religious rituals, and the confiscation of Ja'fari endowments (awqaf).
The statement further asserted that "the political rights and all rights of citizenship of Shi'a citizens in Bahrain are inherent rights that are neither to be sought as favors nor granted as acts of benevolence," describing them instead as "religious and constitutional entitlements that are not subject to compromise or postponement."
The scholars also condemned the pursuit, detention, and prosecution of religious scholars, preachers, and religious educators.
They said that such measures constitute "targeting not only individuals but also a long-established religious identity and a scholarly mission that has long served the Muslim community through knowledge and guidance."
Concluding the statement, Bahrain's Scholars appealed to "the conscience of all free people across the world" and urged governments and peoples to act against what they described as ongoing violations, stating that "silence in the face of oppression is... a form of complicity."
The statement ended by renewing the group's commitment to supporting what it described as the oppressed and praying for the release of detainees and the restoration of justice.
