AUTHORITIES have announced urgent plans to Bahrainise all religious professions, following the brutal slaying of a mosque imam.
The measure is being taken by the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry, after a Bangladeshi muezzin (prayer caller) allegedly confessed to slaughtering Shaikh Abduljalil Hmood at a Muharraq mosque on Saturday.
It aims to reduce the number of expatriates employed in the field, Under-Secretary Dr Fareed Al Muftah said in a statement yesterday.
He revealed the policy not only focused on muezzins, but would also be extended to imams and mosque caretakers.
“The Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry is now co-ordinating with Sunni and Jaffari (Shi’ite) Endowments to draw up a plan to place Bahrain citizens in the positions of muezzin, some imam positions and caretakers of places of worship instead of expatriates,” said Dr Al Muftah.
“Bahrain has plenty of eligible and qualified candidates in all fields, particularly in those related to religious positions – from imams to preachers to muezzins.
“Therefore, Bahraini talent is fully capable of replacing expatriates in such positions.”
The announcement is a reaction to the brutal slaying of Shaikh Hmood at the Bin Shiddah Mosque.
A Bangladeshi muezzin at the same mosque is now in custody and has allegedly confessed to the murder, while a manhunt is underway for six alleged accomplices.
The deceased’s body was dismembered and the muezzin in custody was allegedly caught trying to dispose of the victim’s body parts in rubbish bins on Sunday.
Bahrain’s Sunni Endowments Directorate, which is responsible for Sunni places of worship, yesterday paid tribute to Shaikh Hmood.
A meeting of its mosque committee was chaired by Sunni Endowments Directorate chairman Dr Shaikh Rashid Al Hajeri, who delivered instructions to fast-track Bahrainisation of the religious sector.
“During the committee meeting he gave instructions for Bahrainis to work as imams and muezzins,” said a statement by the state-run Bahrain News Agency.
“Dr Al Hajeri also praised the role of Shaikh Hmood in supporting the mosque for several years.”
The muezzin in custody in connection with Shaikh Hmood’s death is expected to be questioned at the Public Prosecution today.
It is understood the murder was in retaliation after the muezzin was allegedly fired on Thursday based on a complaint filed by Shaikh Hmood, who is due to be buried in Muharraq today.
The 41-year-old is survived by his wife Adeeba Hassan, 39, and 10 children – seven sons and three daughters.
Condolences have been offered to the family by Dr Shaikh Al Hajeri, Dr Al Muftah and Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa, who condemned the “horrendous” crime.
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