Al-Menbar Islamic Society
Al-Menbar Islamic Society جمعية المنبر الوطني الإسلامي | |
|---|---|
| Leader | Ali Ahmed Abdulla |
| Headquarters | Muharraq |
| Ideology | Sunni Islamism |
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
| Council of Representatives |
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| Shura Council |
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| Website | |
| almenber.bh | |
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| This article is part of a series on the politics and government of Bahrain |
Al Menbar National Islamic Society (Arabic: جمعية المنبر الوطني الإسلامي, literally "Islamic National Tribune") is the political wing of the Al Eslah Society in Bahrain. A Sunni Islamist party, it is well organised through a network of mosques and seek to promote a conservative social agenda while not directly challenging the Kingdom's government. The party won four seats in Bahrain's 2006 general election, down from eight seats in 2002.
At times, Al Menbar has seemed significantly more liberal than either the pro-business Independent Bloc and the salafist Asalah, particularly in its opposition to proposed legislation that it argues would restrict freedom of assembly. MP Mohammed Khalid's forthright expression of views has attracted controversy particularly over his campaigns against the filming of Big Brother in Bahrain, to ban a concert by Lebanese singer, Nancy Ajram and his support for government against Shia opposition.
In February 2006, Al Menbar led parliament's refusal to ratify the government's signature of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, with the party's president, Dr Salah Alli, explaining, "[The Convention] means that Muslims could convert to another religion, something against the Islamic law, since those who do so should be beheaded."[1]
On the issue of women's political rights in Bahrain, Al Menbar MP Dr Ali Ahmed told the Bahrain Tribune (26 January 2006):
Granting women their political rights is not against Islamic precepts. Women should be motivated to achieve their aspirations and contribute to the Kingdom’s development. We support women’s political empowerment and want to field the best women who can win. We believe that having a female head of state or president is against religious regulations, but any post below that is open to women.
In 2006's general election, the party promised to field several female candidates, with eye specialist Dr Haifa Al Mahmood apparently selected; however after an electoral pact was worked out with Asalah, which opposes women candidates, Al Menbar produced an all male list of candidates. The party has though backed women's rights activists' campaign for the introduction of a unified personal status law, which was vehermently opposed by Shia Islamists.
In 2006's election they have worked out a deal with the Salafist Asalah to avoid splitting the Sunni Islamist vote.
References
External links
- Al-Menbar official website
- Al Eslah Society (parent organization)
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