As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen community partnership and enhance constructive engagement across all segments of society, Bahrain’s Interior Minister, General Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, chaired the annual meeting with heads and officials of matams across the governorates at the Police Officers Club, in the presence of senior officials including the Minister of Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments, the Deputy Interior Minister, the Chief of Public Security, and governors.

During the meeting, the Interior Minister conveyed greetings from the national leadership, emphasizing that community engagement remains a cornerstone of effective governance, and highlighting the importance of unified coordination between official institutions and community leaders to ensure the safe and organized conduct of Ashura events, especially under the current regional climate.

The minister stressed that this year’s Ashura season comes amid exceptional security challenges, requiring heightened awareness and preparedness, noting that authorities are closely monitoring attempts to exploit the occasion for political purposes, and reaffirming the state’s commitment to safeguarding public order and national cohesion.

He also addressed recent security developments involving networks accused of promoting foreign-linked ideological agendas, revealing that multiple individuals had been arrested for engaging in illegal activities, including influencing youth, collecting unauthorized funds, and channeling money abroad to support suspicious operations, which he described as a direct threat to national security.

Concluding his remarks, the minister made it clear that Bahrain will not tolerate any attempts to politicize religious rituals or violate public order, underscoring that adherence to the law ensures the protection of religious freedoms, while praising the responsible role played by matam leaders in maintaining social harmony and preserving the spiritual and cultural essence of Ashura.