The Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA) held its virtual regular session headed by the council’s President Shaikh Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Khalifa.

SCIA extended its greetings and blessings on the occasion of the new Hijri year to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister.

 The council congratulated HRH Prime Minister on his successful medical check-ups, prayed to Allah the Almighty to bless HRH the Prime Minister with abundant health and wellness so as to continue serving the kingdom and its people.

The meeting affirmed Bahrain's keenness and pride in supporting religious freedoms and rituals within the framework of its constant eagerness to guarantee rights and freedoms for all, praising the great efforts of official government agencies in cooperation with the concerned civil authorities to make Ashura season a success.

SCIA held another virtual meeting with President of the Supreme Council of Health (SCH) Lt. General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, the Head of the National Taskforce to Combat Coronavirus (COVID-19), Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Shaikh Khalid bin Ali Al Khalifa, Sunni Endowments Council's Chairman Dr. Shaikh Rashid bin Mohammed Al-Hajri, and Jafari Endowments Chairman Yusef bin Saleh Al Saleh.

The meeting discussed the latest developments and statistics about the coronavirus locally and internationally, and discussed extensively the perceptions of specialists, their views and general recommendations.

Based on what was presented at the meeting, and on the recommendations of the medical authorities, and based on the Islamic opinions regarding the ruling of worship in the time of the spread of COVID-19, SCIA considers the opening of mosques and the return of collective worship and religious gatherings gradually, taking into account the causes and all necessary precautionary measures.

The council noted that there will be coordination between Justice Ministry and Sunni and Jafari Endowments, to set controls and procedures and take the necessary preparations in accordance with the procedures determined by the National Taskforce to Combat Coronavirus.