Overview:

• Islam is the state religion.

• Existential recognition is only extended to the belief system of Islam while legal registration is offered to all other belief systems, denominations, and their communities and organisations.

• Discrimination exists in the government’s registration process; groups should not be treated different because of the belief system to which they are associated.

• There exists one registration process for Islamic groups and another for all non-Islamic groups.

• The additional approval required from ministries other than the one tasked with dealing with the registration process is dubious as to the extent of their authority in the process.

• The imposition of mandatory registration contravenes the Bielefeldt provision.

• The excessive information requirements for registration suggests that such information could be unjustly used against the applicant group at a later date.

• The political situation in Bahrain highlights once more than political instabilities can cause minor or sometimes major impediments to freedom of religion or belief.

Positive elements:

• A diverse selection of minority groups have already received registration (though this should not be confused with the same recognition that Islam receives).

Recommendations:

• Create a level playing field for all belief systems, their denominations, communities and organisations to access the same degrees of recognition and registration and via the same processes.

• Dissolve laws imposing imprisonment or fines on blasphemy (a dynamic recognition system that comes with broader education will help to resolve issues of insensitivity among the public).