Hawzah News Agency- Sheikh Adel Shala, a Shia cleric from Bahrain, criticized the policies of the country's ruling authorities and warned about interference in religious affairs, the absence of judicial independence, and ongoing violations of prisoners' rights.
Referring to the interference of government officials in divine rulings, Sheikh Adel Shala emphasized that a clear religious stance—far removed from political calculations and personal interests—must be adopted toward decisions concerning religious affairs.
He stated that these issues include prayer, endowments (awqaf), inheritance, payment of rights and property, calling to God, as well as religious education and training, and called on scholars and believers to carefully assess the current reality and clarify their position on what is taking place.
He warned that treating these issues as matters concerning only others does not absolve a person of religious responsibility.
The Bahraini Shia cleric further criticized the lack of judicial independence, stating that the trial of religious scholars has raised serious concerns about guarantees of fair trial. He called for an independent judiciary in which politics does not interfere in its rulings and which includes the necessary guarantees to protect the rights of defendants.
Sheikh Adel Shala then addressed the situation in prisons, citing the words of Imam Ali (peace be upon him): "Prison is one of the two graves," and stated that reports from inside prisons speak of the suffering and mistreatment of prisoners, a pain that has also engulfed their mothers and families.
Criticizing the government's reliance on force and regional and international support—even as demands for justice and the protection of rights continue—he warned of the consequences of oppression and cited the verse: "And those who have wronged are going to know to what [kind of] return they will be returned" (Shu'ara/227).
In conclusion, he called on scholars and believers who do not feel a sense of danger regarding religious affairs to review their positions and assess the reality objectively and impartially, emphasizing that a religious stance must be far removed from personal whims and political interests.
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