Hawzah News Agency- These measures have been accompanied by the closure of a mosque and a Hussainiya in Abu Dhabi, the confiscation of flags and Ashura symbols in Bahrain, and a ban on distributing ritual food in Kuwaiti streets—prompting broad reactions from religious activists and human rights organizations.
In the UAE, local and unofficial sources report the closure of the Al-Rasool Al-A'zam Mosque and the Yusuf Al-Mahfouz Hussainiya in Abu Dhabi, along with the imposition of strict regulations in Dubai and Sharjah. According to these directives, permits for non-local speakers and eulogists have been severely restricted or halted altogether, program durations have been reduced to about 30–40 minutes, and any sound transmission outside mosque and Hussainiya buildings has been banned. Furthermore, the installation of flags, black coverings, and public Ashura displays is permitted only within the interior of religious premises. Reports have also emerged regarding restrictions on private home gatherings and live online broadcasts of ceremonies, though no official response has yet been issued by UAE authorities.
In Bahrain, where Shiites constitute a majority of the population (65–70%), the restrictions have been even harsher, escalating into clashes between mourners and the security forces of the Al Khalifa regime. According to reports, Bahrain's Ministry of Interior has communicated special regulations to Hussainiya administrators, requiring all religious processions and ceremonies to conclude by midnight (12:00 AM) at the latest. The installation of any banners, images of religious authorities, or religious symbols outside the walls of Hussainiyas has been prohibited, and security forces have reportedly been confiscating such symbols in areas like Abu Saiba, leading to scattered but intense tensions. Bahraini security officials have also warned against the use of any slogans or symbols with political connotations—a move that has drawn widespread reactions within Bahrain's Shiite community, which has a centuries-long history of commemorating Ashura.
In Kuwait, while the government's approach appears more focused on policing and regulatory aspects, the Ministry of Interior announced after a meeting with Hussainiya officials that the holding of ceremonies is contingent upon strict compliance with legal requirements. Accordingly, religious gatherings must be held entirely within religious premises, the installation of flags in public thoroughfares is banned, the cooking and distribution of votive foods must be carried out only at approved locations, and any collection of financial contributions outside official state frameworks will be deemed illegal.
It appears that this year's Muharram mourning rituals in these countries—particularly in light of recent regional developments—are facing even more stringent measures, especially given that during the recent war, dozens of Shiite citizens from these three nations were arrested and imprisoned on charges such as sympathizing or collaborating with Iran, espionage, terrorism, and similar allegations.
The governments of these three countries cite security provision, traffic management, and the preservation of urban order as justifications for the restrictions. However, activists and human rights organizations have expressed concern that this trend could lead to the permanent curtailment of civil and religious freedoms.
Source: iuvmpress.co
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