“No Place for Bahá'ís”: HRW warns of religious persecution in Qatar

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has raised alarm over what it describes as systematic discrimination against members of the Bahá'í faith in Qatar. 

In a statement released Sunday, the international rights organization accused the Gulf state of engaging in arbitrary detentions, deportations, and administrative harassment against Bahá'ís, warning that such actions could jeopardize the future of the religious minority in the country.

Despite Qatar’s 2003 Constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on religion and upholds freedom of worship, HRW documented up to 14 expulsions of Bahá'ís between 2003 and 2025. The organization contends that these individuals were deported with no official reason other than their religious affiliation.

The Bahá'í Faith is a monotheistic religion founded in the 19th century by Bahá’u’lláh, who was born in Persia (now Iran) in 1817. Bahá'ís believe Bahá’u’lláh to be the latest in a line of divine messengers that includes Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, and Muhammad. 

The religion emphasizes unity of all people, gender equality, world peace, and harmony between science and religion.

With over seven million followers worldwide, the Bahá'í World Centre is located in Haifa, Israel, a location that has made the faith politically sensitive in some parts of the Middle East. In Iran, Bahá'ís face severe persecution and are not officially recognized as a religious minority.

HRW highlighted the recent expulsion of a Bahá'í man of Iranian nationality born in Qatar, who was reportedly forced to leave in March 2025 under vague accusations of disturbing public order — without any written explanation.

Another prominent case is that of Remy Rowhani, head of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá'ís in Qatar, who was arrested on April 28, 2025, under the country’s cybercrime law for posts made on a social media account linked to the Bahá'í community. 

Rowhani had only recently been released in January 2025 after serving a one-month prison sentence, also believed to be connected to his religious advocacy.

HRW also reported that Bahá'ís in Qatar have faced obstacles in obtaining employment and accessing essential documents, further marginalizing the community.

These developments have drawn criticism from rights advocates who argue that Qatar’s treatment of the Bahá'ís violates both domestic law and international human rights standards. 

While Qatar promotes itself as a modern and tolerant state, especially in the lead-up to major international events, such actions raise questions about freedom of religion and the protection of minorities in the country.