CLERICS have allegedly been scared away from signing a Code of Honour because of threats by extremists.

The initiative, in which participants pledge to rebuild a better Bahrain by spreading a message of peace and forgiveness, was launched by MPs from the Bahrain Bloc last month.

It aims to help unite the Sunni and Shi'ite communities and ensure religious leaders do not preach to incite violence and sectarianism.

Hundreds of clerics listed with the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry had been targeted in the 12-point code, but Bahrain Bloc head Ahmed Al Sa'ati said its success was being put in jeopardy by extremists.

"The response from the public was good, but the clerics did not respond and sign the Code of Honour," said the MP.

"The Shi'ite religious leaders were threatened by extremists to not come forward and sign this document.

"On the other hand, the Sunni clerics said they had already called for people to adhere to some of the points in the code and there was no need for them to sign up."

Mr Al Sa'ati said the bloc was now planning to re-launch the code in the coming weeks.

"Unfortunately our project did not get a good response and that is the main reason why we intend to re-launch this Code of Honour possibly during the last 10 days of Ramadan at a location that will be announced later," he said.

The document was launched at the Beit Al Quran on July 17, but only a handful of Sunni and Shi'ite clerics showed up to endorse it.

By signing up, clerics pledge that their sermons will be free from inciting violence, sectarianism and ensure everyone is united under Islam.

Mr Al Sa'ati said any signatory found to be violating the code will be warned and, if required, could have legal action taken against them.

Parliament chairman Khalifa Al Dhahrani was the first person to sign the code.

sandy@gdn.com.bh