He stressed that houses of worship have to be legally set up in compliance with official planning and people’s real need for them. He pointed out that no makeshift or illegal building can be called a house of worship unless its meets set up conditions and criteria.
He also explained that houses of worship need to be set up on allotted plots of land without encroaching on public or private properties. They also have to be equipped with needed services like electricity, water and a car park in order to continue to play their religious role, he added.
“What have been demolished are, in fact, unlicensed buildings regardless of any doctrine,” the minister said pointing out some illegal practices like stealing water and electricity to serve those buildings.
Shaikh Khalid also condemned attempts to describe the situation otherwise in order to undermine the nation’s image and instigate sedition among the one Bahraini people who belong to the same homeland and who have the same religion.
He asserted that the government is fully assuming its duty by guaranteeing religious freedom and protecting houses of worship but will never keep a blind eye to any violations.