The decision drew strong criticism from UN chief Ban Ki-moon, Bahrain's allies in Washington and London, and Shiite-dominated Iran. Al-Wefaq had the largest bloc in parliament before lawmakers walked out in February 2011 in protest over a deadly crackdown on Arab Spring-inspired protests.
"Al Wefaq" bija lielākā frakcija parlamentā, līdz tās likumdevēji 2011.gada februārī, protestējot pret arāba pavasara nemieru asiņaino apspiešanu, parlamentu pameta.