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Baháʼí News – In a development that has attracted widespread local and international attention, the judicial authorities in Qatar have sentenced Rami Rouhani, a 71-year-old Qatari citizen, to five years in prison on charges of “questioning the foundations of the Islamic religion.
” This ruling, issued on August 13, 2025, brings to the fore the debate on the limits of freedom of expression and belief in the country, and highlights the situation of religious minorities, specifically the followers of the Baháʼí Faith. This report seeks to provide the details of the case and analyze its various dimensions, based on reliable information and real sources.
Details of the Ruling and its Legal Dimensions
In a judicial session held at the Supreme Council of Justice in Qatar, a three-judge panel sentenced Rami Rouhani to five years in prison. The charges against him were related to social media posts, which the court considered to be “insulting to the Islamic religion” and “questioning its foundations.” These posts, according to the prosecution, crossed the red lines related to public morals and public order in the country. Baháʼí News learned that the court rejected the request of Rouhani’s defense team, which called for his pardon based on his critical health condition, as he suffers from a heart disease. This rejection drew criticism from human rights organizations, which considered that the court did not take into account the defendant’s humanitarian circumstances.
International and Local Reactions
The ruling did not go unnoticed, but was met with strong reactions from the Office of the Baháʼí International Community in Geneva. In a statement to the Associated Press, Saba Haddad, the office’s representative to the United Nations, described the ruling as “a serious and grave violation of the right to freedom of religion or belief.” Haddad considered that this ruling is not just an individual case, but is “an attack on Rami Rouhani and the Baháʼí community in Qatar” as a whole. So far, no official comment has been issued by the Qatari government’s International Communications Office, which leaves the door open to speculation about the government’s position on this issue.
Historical and Religious Context
To understand the dimensions of this issue, one must look at the religious context in Qatar. Although the Qatari constitution stipulates that “freedom of worship is guaranteed to all in accordance with the law and public morals,” Islam is the official religion of the state, and Islamic Sharia is the main source of legislation. This situation makes dealing with other beliefs a sensitive issue, especially when they conflict with the prevailing understanding of Islamic Sharia. The Baháʼí Faith, which originated in Persia (now Iran) in the nineteenth century, is a religious minority in Qatar. The Baháʼí creed is based on the belief in the unity of religions and the unity of the human race, and considers Bahá’u’lláh its founder. Followers of this religion in many Islamic countries face various challenges, ranging from not being recognized as an independent religion, to being prosecuted on charges related to “apostasy” or “insulting Islam.”
Additional Information and Important Facts
Rami Rouhani’s health condition: His health condition is a central point in the case.
The court’s rejection of the request for leniency due to his heart disease raises questions about the extent to which the Qatari judiciary considers humanitarian circumstances in such cases.
Absence of an official response:
The Qatari government’s failure to issue any official statement on the issue places it in an internationally embarrassing position, and increases the pressure on it to provide clarifications on how it deals with issues of freedom of belief and expression.
The importance of the case for human rights:
Many human rights advocates believe that this case is not just about Rami Rouhani, but is an indicator of the state’s general direction regarding the rights of minorities and freedom of expression.
The ruling is considered a judicial precedent that may affect the status of religious minorities in Qatar in the future.
The role of social media:
The case showed the extent of the sensitivity of using social media in countries that impose censorship on religious or political content.
A single post can lead to serious consequences, especially if it is interpreted as touching on the official religion of the state.
The difference between the Baháʼí Faith and Islam:
One of the important aspects that must be understood is that the Baháʼí Faith does not consider itself a branch of Islam, but is an independent religion.
This distinction is important because many Islamic countries view the Baháʼí Faith as a “deviant sect” that has strayed from Islam, which justifies the prosecution of its followers… More.
Article writer
Bahia Bekkali
Journalist and writer
ABN Bahá’í News
Contact: bahiabekkali@abnnews.net
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