Forty-five associations and clubs in Bahrain, including a number of prominent expatriate community organisations and long-established local societies, have been dissolved after remaining inactive for more than five years in an unprecedented government decision.
The compulsory dissolution was approved under Social Development Ministry Decision No (57) of 2026, issued by Minister Osama Al Alawi and published in the latest edition of the Official Gazette.
The decision follows a memorandum from the ministry’s Department of Support for Civil Society Organisations, dated September 13, which found that the organisations listed had ceased operations for periods exceeding five years, in violation of the relevant law and their by-laws.
Among the organisations affected are several expatriate community and cultural bodies, including the Indian Society, Malaysian Club, Lebanese Club, Turkish Social and Cultural Association, Turkish Businessmen Association in the Middle East, Arab-Latin American Friendship Association, and Bangladesh Samaj Society for Culture, Science, Literature and Arts.
The list also includes the Arab Youth Society, Bahraini Friends of Youth Society, Bahraini Society for the Protection of Youth and the Gulf Society for Voluntary Work.
Several professional and sector-specific organisations are also covered, including the Bahrain Export Development Society, Bahrain Society of Clearing Agents, Bahrain Society of Radiographers and Technicians, Bahraini Association of Public Health Professionals, Gulf Physiotherapy Association, Bahrain Insurance Workers Association and the Bahrain Competitiveness Council Association.
Among the more notable Bahraini social and community organisations named are the Bu Maher Charity Association, Sitra Social Society, Ras Ruman Community Society, Popular Society of Isa Town and Neighbouring Villages, Barbar Women’s Society, Muharraq Society for Retirees and the Ghaith Social Charity Association.
The decision also covers a number of religious, cultural and charitable organisations, including Al Nahda Al Hussainiya Society, Imam Al Mujtaba Society, Al Taqwa Association, Islamic Kinship and Companions Society, Society for the Support of the Prophet (PBUH) and Al Fateh Society for National Creativity.
Other organisations include the Society for the Protection of Marine Life, National Society for Marine Hobbies, Bahrain Medical Relief Society, Arab Society for Social Responsibility, Innovation Association, Visions Association and the Bahraini Association for Remote Control Car Enthusiasts.
The decision states that the dissolution is being carried out under Article 50, Clause 4, of the Law on Associations, Social and Cultural Clubs, Private Bodies Operating in the Field of Youth and Sports, and Private Institutions, issued by Decree-Law No 21 of 1989 and its amendments.
The Social Development Ministry will undertake the liquidation of all 45 organisations.
The liquidation process will begin from the date of the decision and continue for 18 months, in accordance with the law and the respective by-laws.
From the effective date of the decision, members, managers and employees of the dissolved organisations are prohibited from continuing their activities or disposing of their funds.
Those responsible for managing the organisations must hand over all relevant documents and records to the ministry.
Banks holding their funds, debtors and other parties dealing with the organisations are similarly prohibited from disposing of their assets, rights or affairs except under written instructions from the ministry and in accordance with the applicable legal regulations.
Any funds remaining after completion of the liquidation will be transferred to the Civil Social Work Fund, subject to the provisions of the law and the organisations’ by-laws.
The decision takes effect from the day of its publication in the Official Gazette.
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