Religion and politics in Bahrain cannot mix according to an official edict from the king on Saturday.
Amendments to the law by King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa ban anyone engaged in politics from giving religious speeches, sermons or guidance. The change means the political sphere in Bahrain will be out of bounds for anyone who has an active religious role.
The amendment was endorsed by the two chambers of the Gulf state's parliament last month after debates from politicians.
The law reinforces a previous change made in 2005 shortly after King Hamad became ruler. That reform banned political societies that had sectarian agendas and banned the use of religious meetings to promote political ideas. On top of that judges, diplomats as well as security and military personnel were barred from joining a political society.
However Saturday's ruling comes after criticism the 2005 law did not go far enough and has several loopholes. The amendment now means any religious figure will have to stop any religious activity, even if its on a voluntary basis, before they are able to enter a political role.
Several parliamentarians who supported the change said it would mean political decisions were not given a religion dimension, according to gulfnews.com. They said religion and politics should have their own separate prerogatives.
Shaikh Khalid Bin Ali Al Khalifa, the justice minister, said the law would mean places of worship could no longer be used by people with political interests or by candidates running for election.
