🏴 Husayni Mourning Around the World – 2026

🌐 113. Bahrain:

Ashura International Foundation / Husayni Mourning News – July 13, 2026

The organization “Americans for Democracy and Human Rights in Bahrain” (ADHRB) emphasized that it has monitored an increase in rights violations related to Ashura rituals in Bahrain during the period from May to the end of June 2026.

In a report published on its website, the organization pointed to a growing pattern of security and administrative restrictions that have targeted the religious freedom and beliefs of Shiites coinciding with Muharram and the Ashura season. The organization has documented government actions related to this season, including the reorganization of endowment (waqf) institutions and the integration of “Ja’fari Endowments” into a government structure headed by the Minister of Justice, along with the imposition of time restrictions on mourning processions (mawkibs) and prohibiting them from exiting designated areas, and conditioning the participation of eulogists and speakers on obtaining prior security approvals—a measure that has led to dozens being barred from participating in the ceremonies.

The organization added that it has documented a security campaign prior to the start of Muharram that resulted in the arrest of 54 individuals and the summoning of 20 others on an individual basis. In addition, dozens of citizens have also been summoned in groups. These measures have also included raids on the homes of families of detained clerics, the documented arrest or summoning of 5 minors, and raids on 9 neighborhoods and religious sites.

The report noted that authorities have barred 24 speakers and eulogists from participating in religious rituals through what has been described as an “unwritten administrative prohibition mechanism.” These measures have been accompanied by the summoning of heads of delegations (Azakhana) and forcing them to sign security pledges, holding them responsible for the content presented at Husayni gatherings. Additionally, tools such as tear gas, plastic bullets, and sound bombs have been used to disperse protesters objecting to the collection of Ashura flags and symbols. Furthermore, campaigns have been implemented to remove Ashura-related symbols and create security cordons around some events, encompassing more than 20 areas and neighborhoods.

The organization emphasized that the restrictions have extended into prisons, where political prisoners have been prohibited from holding collective mourning ceremonies and some of their religious items have been confiscated—a matter that prompted hundreds of prisoners to go on hunger strike in protest of their situation. These measures reflect the continuation of discriminatory policies and religious persecution against Shiite citizens and contradict constitutional and international commitments, particularly the “International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.”

The organization called upon Bahraini authorities to respect religious freedoms, halt the restrictions imposed on Ashura rituals, release those detained for participating in religious gatherings and processions (mawkibs), and end the policy of summoning and detaining clerics, speakers, eulogists, and those managing delegations.

The organization also called upon the UN Special Rapporteurs on freedom of religion and belief to assess the human rights situation in Bahrain through a visit to the country.