The new effort came amid Bahrain's crackdown on the Shi'ite opposition, which began in August 2010. So far, nearly 300 Shi'ite dissidents, some of them accused of plotting to overthrow the Manama government, have been arrested.

Officials said the Justice and Islamic Affairs Ministry would send representatives to brief the thousands of mosque preachers on the new guidelines. They said the ministry would offer training and education to improve the work of the clerics.

"Meetings will be held extensively as we look to revamp the sector with better sermons for the public," Al Muftah said. "The world today is aware about the truth and lies, thanks to globalization, and preachers have to give sermons knowing that their audiences are intelligent."

Officials said the new guidelines would not be restricted to Shi'ite mosques. They said Sunni mosques have been marred by clerics who were promoting a pro-Al Qaida agenda.

"Religion calls for respect between sects and even for those who follow other beliefs, and without it we can't live in harmony and peace," Al Muftah said. "But when a preacher decides to throw away what we are offering as knowledge and instead shifts to division and extremism, other concerned government authorities will be called in to stop him."

Officials said the Sunni clerics began receiving briefings on Sept. 28. Sheik Salman Bin Issa Al Khalifa, chairman of the Sunni Endowment Directorate, said meetings would be held with Sunni clerics from around the kingdom.

"No one will be allowed to have access to the pulpit and deliver sermons unless he is enlightened intellectually and known for good conduct," Salman said.

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