ARABIALINK Daily News – Bahrain – Excerpts from International Media Reports
[Links to full articles were active on the date posted here]
Islamists’ Hegemony Blamed for Women’s Failure to Win Bahrain Elections [Jun 4]
“The first woman to be elected to parliament in the Gulf blamed the hegemony of Islamist societies and women’s “hibernation” for the failure of female candidates to win in elections. Lateefa Al Gaood, narrowly lost in the 2002 Bahraini elections, but won in the 2006 polls after she ran unopposed in her constituency. “There is a deplorable lack of awareness among voters about the positive roles that women can play and religious societies have compounded the situation by not selecting women on their lists,” Al Gaood said. “There is also a problem with the candidates who suffer from hibernation. They do not allow themselves enough time to prepare for the elections and have very little or no interaction with voters,” she said. Women should have a stronger social presence and should interact at least with the female voters to convince them of their ability to represent them and serve their interests in parliament..” [Complete Report]
Bahrain’s Liberals Need to Interact With Common Man [Jun 4]
“Bahrain’s liberals have a chance to win seats in the next parliamentary elections if they are able to readjust their communication and interaction with the street, a political leader has said. “Contrary to all claims, the Bahraini street is very receptive to the idea of liberal representatives in the lower chamber,” Ahmad Juma, the head of Al Meethaq Society, said. “However, liberals need to distance themselves from their elitist speeches and to remedy to their lack of contact with common people,” he said. Islamist societies, both Sunni and Shiites, were able to gather huge support and win in the 2006 elections thanks to their special political speeches and to their charity work, Ahmad, one of Bahrain’s best known liberal writers, said. The 40-seat lower chamber is overwhelmingly dominated by religious figures whose positions have often resulted in bitter standoffs alongside sectarian lines. “According to our information, the street is now fed up with the very few achievements reached by the lawmakers who focused more on in-fighting and bickering..” [Complete Report]
Bahrain Urged to Pull Out of Arab Peace Initiative [Jun 4]
“An Islamic society has urged Bahrain to pull out of the Arab peace initiative because the Israelis are not interested in peaceful co-existence. “We call upon Bahrain and all the other Arab countries that have endorsed the Arab peace Initiative to withdraw their support and not to engage in any movement to promote peace with the Israelis,” the Islamic Tribune (Al Menbar) said. “Unfortunately, Israel is not interested in peace and is keen only on murders and destruction. The latest instance of savage attacks on the Freedom Flotilla heroes, which included women and children, is another blatant indication of a dark, blood-stained Zionist history,” the society said. Al Menbar, an off-shoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, has seven of the 40 lower chamber seats in the bicameral parliament and is the third largest block..” [Complete Report]
LMRA Launching New Visa Sweep [Jun 4]
“Authorities hope to send home or legalise more than 40,000 “irregular” workers in Bahrain by the end of the year, it emerged yesterday. They have already slashed the number of illegal workers from 48,000 to 43,000 in the past three months. However, Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA) corporate communication manager Waheed Al Balushi said that was just the start. He also said authorities no longer viewed “free visa” workers or those who overstay their visa as illegal – since many of them could actually be victims of rogue bosses. “We now use the term irregular workers instead of illegal workers because it puts a criminal label on them,” Mr Al Balushi told the GDN yesterday. “Not all of these workers are intentionally here illegally, since their employer could have not renewed their visa..” [Complete Report]
Hundreds to Protest Israel’s Gaza Raid [Jun 4]
“Hundreds of protesters are expected to take to the streets of Bahrain today, demanding Israeli leaders be put on trial for war crimes. The demonstration, which begins at 5pm at the road parallel to the Al Fateh Mosque in Juffair, will involve a march to the Marina Club, said organisers. Participants want tough action to be taken against Israel following its deadly raid on an aid ship heading for Gaza on Monday, which killed nine civilians. “We have already received a very enthusiastic response from people who have pledged they will attend,” said Bahrain Society Against Normalisation with Zionist Enemy secretary-general Mohammed Musaed. “We hope hundreds will turn up.” Mr Musaed said the protest was being organised by a coalition of political, vocational and social organisations in Bahrain, the Palestine Support Committee and Campaign on Behalf of Palestine..” [Complete Report]
