Bahrain kings calls for tougher naturalisation policy

First Published: 2010-12-14

King Hamad insists it is illogical to grant Bahraini citizenship to a person who is not fully imbued with national spirit.

Middle East Online

King Hamad: citizenship should only be granted in extreme cases MANAMA, - Bahraini King Hamad called on Tuesday for a toughening of the country's policy on naturalisation, which the Shiite Muslim majority already considers beneficial to the ruling Sunni minority community. "Experience in matters of naturalisation has proven that it is illogical to grant Bahraini citizenship to a person who is not fully imbued with the national spirit," the king told the opening session of parliament. A naturalised citizen "must respect the law" and be "loyal" and "the nation must have need of him," he added, saying citizenship should only be granted "in extreme cases." This is the first time the king has spoken about the qualifications for naturalisation, which has divided the two communities for years. The opposition argues that government policy aims to shift the population's confessional makeup in favour of Sunnis. The government says it is applying strictly, and without discrimination, the 1963 naturalisation law.