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Al-Menber Islamic Society جمعية المنبر الوطني الإسلامي | |
|---|---|
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| Leader | Ali Ahmed Abdulla |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Muharraq |
| Ideology | Islamism |
| Religion | Sunni Islam |
| International affiliation | Muslim Brotherhood |
| Council of Representatives | 0 / 40 |
| Shura Council | 0 / 40 |
| Website | |
| almenber.bh | |
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| Judiciary |
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| Administrative divisions(governorates) |
Related topics |
 Bahrain portal |
TheAl-Menber National Islamic Society (Arabic:جمعية المنبر الوطني الإسلامي,lit. 'Islamic National Tribune') is the political wing of theSunniIslamistAl Eslah Society inBahrain and Bahrain's branch of theMuslim Brotherhood.[1] The president and patron of the Al Eslah Society is ShaikhIsa bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, a member of theAl Khalifa royal family and former labor minister of Bahrain.[2] Prominent members of Al-Menber include Salah Abdulrahman, Salah Al Jowder, and outspoken MPMohammed Khalid. The party has generally backed government-sponsored legislation on economic issues, but has sought a clampdown on pop concerts, sorcery and soothsayers.[citation needed] Additionally, it has strongly opposed the government's accession to theInternational Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.[3]
A Sunni Islamic party, it is well organised through a network ofmosques and seeks to promote aconservative social agenda while not directly challenging the Kingdom's government. It became a political society in 2006. Previously, it was merely athink tank and public affair society. Bahrain does not allow political parties by traditional definition.
The group often cooperates with thesalafi political blocAsalah, especially on issues involving religious affairs and morals. Minbar seeks a personal status law that conforms to Sharia and is acceptable to both Shia and Sunni sects.[1] At times, Al-Menber has seemed significantly more liberal than either the pro-business Independent Bloc and Asalah, particularly in its opposition to proposed legislation that it argues would restrictfreedom of assembly. In February 2006, Al-Menber led parliament's refusal to ratify the government's signature of theInternational 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."[4] In the 2006 election they have worked out a deal with Asalah to avoid splitting the Sunni Islamist vote.
On the issue ofwomen's political rights in Bahrain, Al-Menber MPAli 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.[citation needed]
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 withAsalah, which opposes women candidates, Al-Menber 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 vehemently opposed byShia Islamists.
The group won three seats in theBahrainiCouncil of Representatives (parliament) in the2002 election, seven seats at the2006 election, but only two seats at the2010 election and one seat at the2014 election. It did not win any seats at the2018 election.
| Election | Party leader | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 3 / 40 |  3 | 3rd | |||
| 2006 | Salah Abdulrahman | 7 / 40 | 4 | 2nd | ||
| 2010 | 5,452 | 2 / 40 |  5 | 3rd | ||
| 2014 | 1 / 40 | 1 | 2nd | |||
| 2018 | 0 / 40 | 1 |
| Pro-government parties | |
|---|---|
| Opposition parties | |
| Banned parties | |
