CNN: Poverty in Bahrain
Lulu once again has an excellent opinion which is well worth reading:
Hala Gorani, presenter of “Inside the Middle East,” apparently was in Bahrain, interviewing Shi’a poor villagers, Nabeel Rajab, and a couple of government Ministers. The program started with an assertion that Bahrain, despite being one of the world’s richest countries in terms of per capita GDP, has a “hidden population.” Political and economic issues in Bahrain were reduced to ” long-standing tensions” between the ” poor Shi’a majority” and the “ruling Sunni elite.” And that’s that.
update: Anwar Abdulrahman, that doyen of democracy and righteousness has also spoken about this subject in his column in today’s GDN:
This must reflect the extreme naivety of producer Hala Qorani, who has allowed herself and her film crew to be lured into exaggerated and unrepresentative situations.
I wonder what they hoped to achieve by such blatantly untrue, unfair and biased reporting. Bahrain is presently buzzing on the cusp of an economic boom, which must have been obvious to these cameramen and ‘journalists’ as they toured various parts of the country.
…
Ironically also, such irresponsible reportage has been released when the United Nations has bestowed high honour on our Prime Minister for his key role in human development, placing the urban poor at the very centre of Bahrain’s modernisation strategy.
can you smell the roses yet?
Sorry Esra’a, but saying “This is what westerners want” IS making generalizations about me and every other westerner. Would you argue the same point if someone said “Those Muslims are murderous, treacherous, evil people”? No, you wouldn’t. You would say the same thing. Can you tell me exactly where Bahraini Citizen said that they were talking about western governments here:
“This story is true i accept that, but it should be resolved, and not make this country another afghanistan or iraq.you know what they did there..
this is what the westerners want!”
Because I’d really like to know. Really, enlighten me, mahaguru.
As far as I can see, there’s a generalization there. Please, don’t insult my intelligence by pulling out subtext which doesn’t exist.
I don’t have a problem when you criticize the people who make these stupid decisions, such as meddling in the affairs of other countries, but I will take offense when you lump me in with them. Just as you are not your leaders, I am not mine.
*sigh* is suppose I should have typed in there.
I’m sorry, I didn’t know I now had moderator priveledges here? Also, I have listened to what others have said, and what I see here is a tendency to blame “the west”, which is just as unfair as the west blaming the Muslim world for *whatever*. Wouldn’t you agree that’s unfair for both sides, or does criticism work one way?
Barry;
Unfortunatly, there are too many individuals in the middle-east who really believe Westerners have nothing better to do than plot against them.
To be fair, the conspiracy theorists really are a minority in this forum.
true, but to be fair, thanx to the current US administration, there are also too many individuals in the US who believe all of us in this entire part of the world are jealous of them and want to destroy their democracy. thankfully, they are a lot fewer now than there were a couple of years ago.
“thankfully, they are a lot fewer now than there were a couple of years ago.”
Well as long as we are pitching the manure……..all that simply means is that Americans have now classified you as useless and unworthy for the time being anyway. It’s a good thing really.
Barry, you need to keep in mind the language limitations. You are making a huge rant without even allowing the commenter himself explain his reasoning.
There are far too many people here who use “Westerner” or “Americans” as a term for US government only. Here we have been exposed to anti-Iraq rallies in the U.S and thus a lot of Arabs realize how the U.S govt doesn’t truly represent its people.
Secondly the comment was merely a claim, not a hateful statement. After what happened with Iraq, Afghanistan, and now the escalating problems with Iran, people do believe that the “West” is plotting against their religion, nation, and existence. Just as much as many Americans are paranoid about “terrorists,” people here are paranoid about invading US forces. The US media, with its frequent misrepresentations, are only feeding such a view. Ever seen CNN footages of Iran? FoxNews footages of Saudi Arabia? Nothing close to reality. Now that you have the internet to connect directly with individuals from these areas, it’s your responsibility to explain why this isn’t true, not to get angsty.
M,
how do you get THAT from what i said? maybe you need to work on your English and comprehension skills. ???!!!!!!!!
i am not pitching anything, just saying that there conspiratory theorists on both sides.
To say the truth, alot of people in the villages are unemployed because of low level of education. I have lots of colleagues of shia sect and they are living in middle class sect after they worked in high positions in big companies and banking sector. I think one of the problems is the focus of their studies which is a high degree of religion. There is no harm of religious studies but at the same time focus on every day schooling. However, saying this does not mean the government is innocient. There is lots of segregation in employment and choosing qualified professionals . My solution is I can see it is that the Shia should open their own BANK and channel their money into it and get the reward of the interest for good causes. Unfortuantely the government will never ever allow this!
Guys, this is not a Westerns vs. Middle Easterners debate.
Naz,
Inspite of everything, the people of Bahrain will not allow another Iraq or Palestine tp develop here. I firmly beleive that the people of Bahrain are intelligent and smart and peace loving. Yes there are problems and protests, but such protests are only to make the government to listen to their needs.
There is povery in Bahrain due to many factors, some of which are, incorrect distribution of wealth, greediness by the rich, laziness by some, hoarding of land and resources by few, over expenditure by some, over population by illiterate, importing of foreign elements who then also over populate and drain the resources.
Leakage does not cause poverty in this country. The petty cash earned by broken backs does not drain the economy as those housemaids too spend to enjoy some small luxuries as well.
There are housemaids I know who are happy and treated like members of the family.
Peoples attitudes need re-adjustment or change. A person can improve his lot by improving his attitude. More than once Mahmood has stated this and provided ample examples.
If you have the daring to be different then determination and discipline are what you need to succeed. Luck is just relevant to the situation and not a critical factor.
Hot weather, lack of water, no vastja (influence), incorrect curriculum is not an excuse to better yourself.
When you see yourself as different from those around you, then you can be unique but also treated different. If you see yourself as equal to those around you, then you can expect atleast equal treatment or atleast command it.
Titles are created by humans not God. Prophet Mohammed (Sal Allah hu Alehi Wa Sallem) always taught his people to follow the path of respect and forgiveness and to fight when required for the defense of the poor and the righteous.
This being said, what people in Bahrain need is to focus on the theme of No Shia, No Sunni, just Bahraini. Start calling yourself Bahraini and be proud and lawful and harworking and go after what you believe and work for it. Stop blaming others for your problems, start finding solutions within and you will find new doors opening that you did not see.
I know I am talking like it sounds easy. It is not easy believe me. It is not supposed to be easy. Firstly believe in yourself, focus on what you want and work towards it not against it.
a lot of Arabs realize how the U.S govt doesn’t truly represent its people.
Yes, it does. Our representatives are democratically elected.
Aliandra,
How nice to hear from you again. And how nice to see you misunderstand the comment. The comment meant that we, in the Middle East, recognize that most American citizens do not currently support the US Government’s foriegn policy, even if they did elect their leadership through an electoral college vote system.
Now, back to the issue of blue collar/white collar jobs. Sometimes I think that Bahrainis would be much better off if they lived for a period of time in other countries. They would then realize just HOW MUCH of a welfre system Bahrain is where we pay minimal rates for education, electricity, health, water, etc. We dont pay taxes, and we dont really oay market (production) rates for any of these services.
I think that once we did realize how much of a safety net the system does offer, then the issue is how much of the population can we afford to have live beneath the poverty line. (Keep in mind that poverty in Bahrain is not the same as poverty in India). In some countries, 6% unemployment rate is acceptable .. there is a natural rate of unemployment in every country.
Also, to the point of ‘leakage’ in the system by remittances paud aboad. One way to keep the money in the country is to allow these guys to bring their families and send them to our schools and be part of the system .. which would mean naturalization. Like they do in Canada and the US and the UK and Australia with targeted immigration. But socially, people would find this unnaceptable.
The question to ask is what kind of a contract do we want with our Government in terms of services. It is impossible and unrealistic to expect the Government to provide a job fob for every Bahraini. It is also unrealistic for us as Bahraini’s not to comtemplate moving to places like Dubai or Qatar for jobs. Most people who end up working in top jobs in London or New York or Hong Kong are hungy and ambitious enough to work their butts off to get there, and ALL are willing to relocate.
We need to grasp the fact that we are prt of the 21st century. Freedom means tradeoffs.
many americans would not agree with you on that, thank god. the ones i know tend to disassociate themselves as much as possible from your elected president and do not consider him to represent their people. especially after the second time when noone could plead ignorance and be telling the truth.
in a different way, our parliament also does not represent many of us, even though we voted.
all it takes a little arithmetic. multiply the number of expatriate blue collar workers x most of their salary and you will be shocked at the size of the leakage. it is HUGE! the multpiler effect makes it even bigger because if it stays in circulation it goes around several times. once it leaks out, that’s it, gone.
nothing of any substance. very little. most of it is wired home. plus the leakage is not just the housemaids, it is all the blue collar workers with meagre salaries who cant afford to live a decent life here and send it all back home surviving on nothing.
ORRR….
we can get our hands dirty and do the work ourselves. stop repeating the illusion that somehow these jobs are beneath us as if we were made from some different matter and just do what needs to be done.
Amen! to both parts. it is precisely this that fosters the illusion above, of the right to homes and comfortable lives and that anything less is not good enough.
Cradle, to be honest, when a ‘Western’ media outlet represents a country in the Middle East, yes it raises some “Westerners vs. Middle Easterners” debate… which is not how I’d describe it, but the debate has a point, and much to your dismay, it’s an inevitable and necessary one.
Can we Talk;
many americans would not agree with you on that, thank god. the ones i know tend to disassociate themselves as much as possible from your elected president and do not consider him to represent their people
Our government consists of more than just our president. Since all our politicians are chosen in elections free of fraud and rigging, they do technically represent the people of the country, even though we may disagree with some of the things they do. No one expects politicians to do everything they want 100% of the time.
If the only Americans you know are the ones that have dissociated themselves from the elected president, then you don’t know too many Americans. There is a great variety of opinions among the US individuals. Try and meet more of them
Mornin’ Jasra;
Greetings returned to you too, Jasra!
.. though I’m disappointed that you think you know more about American opinions than the folks who actually live there. So, just to clear the air, here’s the skinny … We’re unhappy with Iraq, but okay with Afghanistan, and don’t care too much about Russia’s recent antics. We don’t like those terrorists in Lebanon and our government doesn’t either so we agree on that one. Same with the idea of Iran getting a nuke, but really, that’s more worrisome for the middle-east than for us.
Our foreign policy encompasses more than the middle-east (100+ other countries out there, you know), and generally we’re not too fussed with the rest of it.
Hope that helps
Aliandra,
AND
make up your mind, dear.
having lived there for a couple of years, i think i know quite a few! i will add, however, that the ones who we meet outside the states in the last few years, here, in Europe and other countries outsude the US all share the sentiments i mentioned. before GW they used to be “greatest nation on earth… proud to be american…etc.” no more. at all. now it’s apologetic and embarassed. ‘americans are not like that.. we dont support him…etc.)
i am excluding the military of course.
“Europe and other countries outsude the US all share the sentiments i mentioned”
All of them, eh?
Can we talk
make up your mind dear
Key word, Madam, generally
Aliandra,
The hypocracy in your post No. 65 is unbelievable. OK with Afghanistan? What have they ever done to you? Or is it just to run pipe lines through the country? I know, lets spread peace, by violence. Awsome!
Terrorists in Lebanon? I guess you do not want anyone giving America’s illegitimate child a taste of its own medicine then?
Iran getting a nuke? Funny, from the only country to ever use a nuke, 2 actually, and wipe out millions of people within mere seconds.
All that is happening, is for the greed of one man, and for the jobs of hundreds of thousands, and for America to keep running. Because if Saddam had closed the oil taps, your country would have come to an immediate halt!
Another thing. You say that because you elected your cuttent president through a fraud proof election system, and that because he is elected, he is your representative, which means whatever decision he makes, it is your decision, and he represents you, correct?
By the way, America is not a democracy. It is a dictatorship. The president can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants, even if those who have elected him disagree with what he is doing, or if his actions were immoral and unfair (just like every thing he has ever done). See how this paragraph contradicts the one before it?
Too bad this had to turn into and east/west thing. While some may see it as that, I don’t at all. It’s a good thing to not blindly accept what is pitched your way by anyone, but to take the leap that CNN is spoon fed by the U.S. government and is trying to stir up civil unrest and fan the flames of sectarian violence in Bahrain is just plain baseless and illogical. Guess maybe the GDN is doing the same thing when they “report” something I disagree with about America and that they are trying to undermine my government and my culture. They must be “jealous” of my democracy.
Do you really want me to believe that no entity from the east or west has mentioned the differences between the Sunni and Shi’a prior to this CNN piece being aired? So anyone discussing the split is also guilty of fanning the flames?
Suppose I should buy the innuendos here that CNN is a government puppet; funny stuff. Truth of the matter is this is media hype by a private organization per SOP; nothing more and nothing less. To blow it out of proportion and then blame anyone but CNN is just plain stupid. To further compound it by blaming this administration, this or any other government or “the West” is illogical and a cop out. Show me the money or shut up.
Aliandra is right, and she didn’t misunderstand anything; we are responsible for our government as you are for yours. We elected this administration, twice, and are responsible for their actions. How very convenient and arrogant to disassociate yourself from something you don’t like, didn’t vote for or agree with; just claim they don’t represent you, and you’re all set. Wonderful.
CWT,
I’m glad you know a few Americans and have spent a few years here; too bad you didn’t listen.
CNN are not the only media outlet to discuss this problem in Bahrain, if I can remind everyone, FT and other high-profile publications and media stations have done so extensively as well.
Maybe we should discuss the underlying reasons for actual poverty in Bahrain and attempt to find solutions, rather than divert this thread into a blame game?
Complete and utter rubbish. Typically CNN.
you missed the first part of the sentence. …..the ones (americans) who we meet outside the states in the last few years, here, in Europe and other countries outside the US all share the sentiments i mentioned.
sarcasm.. actually, i did and we have had prolonged friendly discussions about current affairs and their positions on recent politics. your opinions obviously differ and that’s your right.
and as for the “jealous”bit, i didn’t make that up. we heard it from your country, over and over again.
kids in america:
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/elder110101.asp
just google “jealous of our democracy america”and see what pops up.
Yes, thank you Mahmood.
Esra’a:
I don’t know why you took my comment so sensitively. The thread did divert from its main point, and I was not pointing figures specifically at you. To my dismay, yes, the arguement is not focusing on the real problem.
thanks, Cradle, the voice of reason, you’re right
ok,
how about we start (step one) with the education system and fix i t so that it provides graduates with better tools, better skills, better ethics, better ethos and a better attitude.
the problem with starting here is that it takes time for change to occur on a grand scale, but IMHO, it has to be done, nothing will change until then.
you know what, as i write this and get a sense of deja vu, it seems that all the problems we have can be solved by the same solutions. so if certain changes were made, we would end up solving so many of our problems, unemployment, brainwashability, professionalism, environmental awareness, need i go on..
CWT,
“that’s your right.”
You betcha that’s my right; you can certainly give your subjective opinion on the position of those Americans you have/had discussions with, but that’s about it.
I would think you would have better things to do with your time than presenting the opinions of twelve year olds from the jewish world review as the standard for American opinion on……..never mind. It’s all way too silly. Maybe someday, Mahmood can do a CWT top ten list of google searches just for grins.
Listen, I think enough about stupid America stuff. Bahrain is at an important time in it’s history with a great future ahead of it if everyone works to get it right. If someplace like Bahrain can’t do it, then there is not much hope for the rest of us. There have been steps forward over the last several years even though there is a long way to go still.
Yes, education is a big part of it both from the government’s part but also from the business world and the general population. Everyone’s got to have the same standards, and you can’t let the poor fall through the cracks. It’s not just education, but opportunities with the government and the private sector funding small businesses and new technology and home ownership. Start building some state of the art schools in the poorer districts and forgive the cost of education for every university student who teaches in a given area for 4 years. Make sure the locals get to work on the construction of the schools, and start to organize parent/teacher organizations where parents are involved in the process from the beginning.
Biggest thing is politics; it’s easy to snipe, but get involved particularly on a local level. That’s the only way things will change in a nonviolent way. Yes, there is politics involved in politics, but it will change. Look at the changes in America from 40 years ago when blacks sat on the back of the bus. If you don’t run for an office, then get involved with political groups and let the powers that be hear your voice. They will listen, because it’s in their interest to do so.
“Can we Talk” talks of leakage.
I do not see it harming Bahrain’s economy so much. I am sure it may add up. I do not need to do any arithmetic. But I am sure the cost of the drain outweighs the benefits that Bahrainis get from such cheap labor and with the treatment that they met out to the poor housemaids. This is not a general statement but I am talking about those who do violate human rights and get away with it especially with such lax laws.
The biggest drain or waste is when Bahrainis take out so much loans and spend or waste their loans on flashy materialistic luxuries and then cannot pay the loans. This is not so good for them to be in debt as family wage earners and not investing in insurance that can help them in times of need.
You want expats cheap labor and you want them to build your economy as well by spending their money back in your country whilst your laws prevent them from bringing their families here unless they have a salary of more than BD250 plus those who can can do so 1 month at a time for a maximum of 3 months each time shelling out so much money….
Where is the sense of justice?
If expats could, they would bring their relatives here as permanent dependents, they would be happy and more productive and expenditure would increase here, leakage would lessen.
Why not ask the Min of Labor to open permanent residence permits without restrictions for earning expats to bring their families under condition that they have medical insurance to care for the hospital bills so that they do not further drain your economy.
You cannot have everything. This is not an ideal society with ideal conditions and laws.
CWT,
Why is everyone getting on your case?
M,
You need to takea deep breath. Seriously.
Aliandra and M ..
What the US does affects EVERYONE else in the world. EVERYONE. Right now, the US is a superpower. And the presidential election in the US has EVERYONE riveted. So, it is entirely normal for all of us non americans to have opinions on the US as well as US foriegn policy. And most of us on this blog have had some interaction with Americans. Be it on an professional or personal level.
The original point that was made way back when was not to say, quite simply, that the US population is quite divided at this exact point in time on quite a bit of things that the US administration is doing. Meaning, that although there is some sort of a legal mandate (as per the last election, which was contenious in its own right if you recall .. unless of course, you judge histroy by years and not decades or centuries ..
.. there isnot very much support at the moment.
So, M .. dont be a cheapazoid and take cheap shots to prove your point. CWT has actually responded and explained her position. The way I see it, CWT is respecting you by listening and addressing your points. The least you can do is return the courtesy, unless, of course, you have no intention of havign a dialogue but a slamming session instead?
Aliandra,
Yes, tragic. Isnt it. Because, I read the NY Times everyday as well as the editorials in the Washington Post and the LA Times. Now, lets count how many of these papers are read by the AVERAGE AMERICAN? And you will be surprised that there are more Bahrainis, as a percentage of population, who follow the US news than Americans themselves.
errm. right. yeah. you are correct. except, you dont define who in the Middle East is worried about Iran getting nuclear weapons. You should have specified Israel. Hence the US. Tail wagging Dog …
And as far as not being fussed with the rest of it?! Lol!!! Afghanistan, Iraq and now Iran. I am not really quite sure what else this current US Administration has done in the rest of the world?? Certainly not the environment.
JJ,
Since I have been hanging around here pretty much since day one, I don’t think you can pin the queen of cheapazoid on me although I admit I can be as petty as the next guy sometimes. Sorry.
In terms of CWT, I guess you and I simply disagree. To question that I question anyone’s right to have an opinion on America is really pretty silly.
CWT,
I know what you mean about finding Americans all over the world who are embarrased and against their government. Perhaps its because those are the types of Americans who are worldly and travel and are open minded to begin with, VS the ones who have rarely if ever left the continent and watch FOX’s inflamatory propaganda from some suburb in Maine.
I for one would pay handsome money to see a correlation graph for peoples’ Republican/Democrat allegiances and the number of tourist visas they have ever been issued.
Regarding the sunni-shia relations, I think it starts at the smallest unit – the individual, and the nuclear family.
Just the other day, I chastized my cousin for putting “Muslim-Sunni” on his facebook account. (My background is sunni too). I told him that if he’s going to be a Muslim, just be a freakin’ Muslim. Worry more about following the 5 pillars than what suffix you place in front of the word.
And whats funny is that people will openly take down 2 shots of whiskey sours – openly violating an uncontested tenent of Islam – but then get one someones case because he is a Shia and “not a true follower”. Ha!
Anyway, I REALLY do think that if our generation makes enough noise – whether it is ridiculing misguided cousins or just talking to friends about it, it will really have an impact. I dont think anyone told that nutty Islamic professor when he was a kid that sunnis/shias is an old and artificial if not outdated construct. There was no resistance to this concept. Hence he grew up to be the way he is, and now he is telling little girls that Shias are allied with Iran.
Even a little resistance can make a difference. (In the long run).
-Ibn
M,
Apology accepted.
Now, back to the original discussion, which was the CNN video.
I sometimes get a nasty feeling, which I dont really like, that tells me that the US would rather frame the conflict in Iraq (internally) and the impending conflict betwen Iran and the rest of the GCC as a Sunni – Shia struggle than it would as one that strikes to the heart of legitimacy of rule and leadership.
This video is case and point.
I know, for a fact, that there are many poor Sunnis in Bahrain. And if you go to Saudi Arabia and do a video on poverty, you will find many many poor Saudis in the heartland of the Sunni heartland there. In whose interest is there to fan the flames of a sectarian strife?
And, my other question is, if Iraq does end up breaking into three regions delineated by Sunni/Shia and Kurd. Will this have an impact on Bahrain? And if so, how?
Bahrain = Northern Ireland.
Sunni = Protestant.
Shia = Catholic.
The mind boggles at these obvious parallels.
Ibn,
10 for predictability
1 for accuracy
5 for comedic value; it’s a slow day.
JJ,
“This video is case and point.”
Or of course, CNN may actually hold the view, like others, that it is a Sunni-Shia struggle. Besides, it’s much easier than using that old tired power, money and greed thing even though everyone knows that’s all it ever comes down to.
No problem in asking the question of whose interest is there to fan the flames, and we all know the answer is a lot of people. So speculate all you want if that’s your style; just don’t be surprised when people don’t buy what you’re selling based on that alone.
Western history is rife with examples of divide-and-conquer. What evidence exists to suggest to us that they have changed their ways today? Because they’ve become more polite and dont openly say it?
Why thank you! I was always number 1 in my class!
-Ibn
I ain’t selling anything darling. I don’t recall even positing a point of view on this matter. But, how come Ibn gets ranked and I don’t?
Messy and bloody the struggle will be …
I agree with many of you at many points, and disagree with many of you on a million other points.
I personally found the report to be a piece of horse crap, for many reasons, all the facts that were said are things we live with every day and we hear in news paperers, which means the whole world can see them,what was really shameful is what the ignorants of minsters that made the whole country look like a tripe of monkeys, and I really think we should be angry for that.
I mean the whole Bahraini people are being mugged by the government, Sunni, Shiite, Jews what ever they are, why would any one want to make it look like Sunna are getting a real cut from the cake and any one else isn’tShiat are more harmed only statistical as they are the bigger portion of Bahrain, but the other portion includes, Sunni, New citizens (mwaleed 7war!) and any one on this Island.
this is the point that CNN didn’t show and thats why I think the report is full of crap,I mean, its not a secret why did they do it but that doesn’t mean aim at a person rather than a problem, thats not the expected from International media.
Thanks to Cnn and Hala Gorani for presenting this proggramme. There are alot to say but i just want to say something to the lier Ministery Of Housing, my father has an application for house since 34years, he reached all the doors and even to this lier minister Fahmy Jowder but no response. simply because he’s a poor man and has no media. [expletive deleted] Fahmy Jowder.
I find it hard to believe that you have been waiting for a house for 34 years, that means you application was probably handed in while Isa Town was being built and at that time just about everybody got a house or land almost immediately (by today’s standard); so there must be another side to this story.
It would probably be better for your case also not to swear as you have or accuse people of being liars without providing proof that they have. I understand that you are frustrated, but my advice is frame your contribution in a way that at least allows you some leeway while giving the others the benefit of the doubt.
@NO house citizen,
Blogs get Banned and looked because of people like your self swearing at figures of the community, so just for the sake of the Administration of any Blog, I’d recommend thinking about what words we choose and use.
many of us (including my self) don’t really like the way our country is ran, and certainly don’t like a few of the community figures (including MP’s, Imam wana be’s and so on), but it wouldn’t solve anything to publicly call them names or swear at them, will, at the end of the day, they don’t log on to Blogs to read the people’s concerns.
@Mahmood, I agree with you, its Hard for me to believe that any Bahraini citizen Have been waiting for 34 years on a housing application, under Normal circumstances that is, there must be a catch.
34 years is a very long time, but in Bahrain, nothing would surprise me.
Here you go, the latest from CNN’s reports on sparking up more sectarian conflicts http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/meast/06/14/iraq.main/index.html
If you ask me, i believe this is all staged terrorism.
i understand the harsh situation that the citizens of bahrain are going through, but didnt you take a minute and ask . . from all the arabic news channels out there, why did CNN only, step up to talk about poverty in bahrain ? the answer is , by my opinion: like all the other western news channels, CNN is trying to create conflict within the country, the the inner conflicts we see in iraq, which were only triggered by western media and ideas. But we know for certain, their are Bahraini ppl who are treated badly and deprived from benifits they must procure because they are bahraini.
oh boy!
Mahmood,
I was always curious about what the Bandergate scandal was all about, but never found answers. Then i did do some extra research today, and i have mixed feelings regarding the whole issue.
I believe (personal belief in regards to my understanding of the scandal and how the government works and the accusations in the scandal) that the Bandergate thing itself is a scandal.
A secret group were accused to be working hard to marginalize the Shia in Bahrain, and to produce Sunni supremacy (which already exists anyway) and were also accused of corruption. And here comes a man who exposes them.
Then i begin to think to myself, why? How? Where did he get this info? I start to think to myself that maybe this is also planned, so as to make it look ugly for government officials and members of the royal family, and make it look ugly for the government and the ruling family. So the man is departed to the UK, and the case is closed.
It makes me think that this man exposed this, and it also caused a bigger fuss than the original one, because he tried to prove that they were actually trying to marginalize and segregate the citizens of Bahrain. He was trying to confirm everyones accusations of what we think the government wants and is doing to us.
I am no politician, but this is just my personal opinion and understanding of the matter.
Could you shed some light on the matter please? As this religious discrimination that the Bandergate scandal supposedly revealed, is also a main factor of the poverty problems that people in Bahrain suffer from.
Thank you in advance for your effort to help me understand this matter even more
I can’t. Simply because no one other than a few have the full information.
I would rather you insisted that the authorities to allow an independent commission to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into this matter and make the results available.
Only then can we be certain of the facts, and demand reparations be made.
For the moment, as the government seems to be so “sensitive” about the issue – and that is putting it mildly – people construe that as they are simply hiding things and are therefore guilty of gross misconduct.
So, it seems like they will just broom the dust under the carpet then? As far as the media goes, the scandal seems to have been long forgotten. I was never interested in it, but i was just a bit curious about what it was all about.
Thank you Mahmood. I hope the truth does arise some day, not only for this, but for all the corruption that goes on within out society and political organizations.
But i do not trust that the government will ever provide us with the truth, unless the scandal was made up by Bandar himself due to some personal grudge against the ruling family?
Look, I’ve read all these comments and have some interesting thoughts to share on the subject. Firstly I do not agree with biased reporting. As a journalist one should remain biased instead of causing mayem and chaos and causing people to scratch where it doesn’t itch! If you are a journalist, then remain impartial. If you are a documentary filmmaker with a deep appreciation for Human Rights, that is an entirely different story. I am new to Bahrain, and I suppose you could call me a “westerner” although I come from Africa, not America. I came to Bahrain as an “expat”, not to steal jobs or prosper from the wealth of the country. I came here to teach people skills in order for them to find work and sustain themselves. And through this I am also creating many, many jobs. I see the unemployment issues here, it is not hard to notice. But I do agree that one’s people should never rely on the government for their daily bread. Its all very well to argue and complain, but from what I understand schooling is free, so is basic healthcare. Which is more than a lot of African country governments provide. I’m a supporter of “teach a man to fish” mentality, and must say that I have had a great deal of support from the Ministry of Labour with regards setting up a training facility here in Bahrain for locals. And as always, I personally will sponsor training to those people who come from disadvantaged families. I think it is easy to bitch and moan about the situation, but are the people on this forum actually doing anything to help? How about sponsoring someone to go and study something so he/she can improve life for their entire family?
Its time we became doers instead of moaners. Every country has its problems. And its “segregation” in some form or another. But instead of focusing on all the problems, lets think of solutions. Solutions start with self. Doing a good deed every day will go a long way to helping the country as a whole!
Peace be to all.
I wish everyone had the attitude of what can i do, instead of what should i ask for. the 1% is a prime example. i cannot believe that anyone would complain about paying 1%, no matter how low their salary is.
In Bahrain, so many people live in poverty despite the fact that it is an oil-producing country.The problem is that its regime incites hatred and thinks Bahraini shi’a villagers do not have the right to live happily.The question is ‘what is its attitude based on?’Does the regime think they pose a threat?Do they want to overthrow the government?As a Bahraini citizen,I see no reason why the regime treats shi’a villagers so badly.Therefore,its attitude is not justifiable and has to be changed
Hi..
will it seems i am sending late maybe..
But for all of u.. there are poor sunni and shie.. a small visit to old Muharraq will show and old Busaiteen and Hidd the amount of poor sunni..
By the way the community should have poor and rich.. u shouldnt break the lader of life..
bahrain either it was rich or poor country u should have all variety of classes.. ONE CLASS IS UNHEALTHY
Second, cant people live in peace.. come on live in peace with ur self what ever ur believes
Thanks
True what The Traveler says,
but, do you not read the newspapers when the Prime Minister visits these “run down” villages and orders houses to be built for them immediately, and that they are moved to furnished flats and provided with allowances for food?
Do you ever see the PM going to Shia villages and doing the same? I never have seen it happen, and it will never happen.