The Bahraini Parliament will resume debate next Tuesday on a proposed law that seeks to integrate the positions of Imam and Muezzin into the national civil service system. The bill, introduced by MPs Khalid Buanaq, Ahmed Al Salloom, Hanan Fardan, Basma Mubarak, and Maryam Al Saegh aims to include imams and muezzins in the general salary scales and benefit packages afforded to other government employees. The proposal was initially presented on October 29th, 2024 and was referred to the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee for further review. The committee’s report indicates agreement with the proposers on amendments and revised wording, leading to its resubmission for parliamentary vote on Tuesday.
The six-article bill proposes including Bahraini imams and muezzins employed by the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments under the Civil Service Bureau’s shift system. A full-time Bahraini imam with a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Islamic studies would be placed at grade eight, while a full-time muezzin with similar qualifications would receive grade seven. The Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee has expressed its support for the bill. While the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments stated it could not offer an opinion before receiving government input, the Civil Service Bureau confirmed that existing civil service regulations already apply to full-time Bahraini religious personnel where no specific provisions exist in the current Imam and Muezzin regulations.
Proponents argue that the bill will enhance the vital role of imams and muezzins in promoting religious and moral values by providing better financial and social support. It aims to elevate their status, encourage Bahraini youth to pursue these roles, and create more attractive employment opportunities. The bill is also seen as a way to reduce unemployment among graduates of Islamic studies. “The inclusion in the civil service system would provide greater job security and benefits, fostering professional and academic development, and ultimately contributing to reducing unemployment among graduates of Islamic studies,” supporters stated.
The proposed law aims to provide imams and muezzins with better financial and social support, elevate their status, and make their roles more attractive to Bahraini youth. This move is seen as a way to promote religious and moral values while also reducing unemployment among graduates of Islamic studies. Proponents believe that incorporating imams and muezzins into the national civil service system will provide greater job security and benefits, fostering professional and academic development.
The bill, introduced by several Members of Parliament, has received support from the Legislative and Legal Affairs Committee, which has recommended amendments and revisions to the initial proposal. The Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments are yet to offer their opinion, but the Civil Service Bureau has confirmed that existing civil service regulations already apply to full-time Bahraini religious personnel where specific provisions do not exist. The proposed law would place Bahraini imams and muezzins employed by the Ministry of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments under the Civil Service Bureau’s shift system.
By integrating the positions of Imam and Muezzin into the national civil service system, proponents believe that the bill will provide imams and muezzins with greater job security, benefits, and opportunities for professional and academic development. This move is also intended to encourage Bahraini youth to pursue careers in religious studies and reduce unemployment among graduates in the field. The proposed law aims to elevate the status of imams and muezzins in Bahraini society while promoting religious and moral values.
