Comments for Mahmood's Den

Comment on A glimmer of light at the end of a rather dark tunnel by exclamation mark

exclamation mark — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:08:20 +0000

We’re just a couple of days away from 14th Feb 2012 and we haven’t heard any outcome ! Any news?

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Comment on Bassiouni’s Disappointment by jane

jane — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:50:58 +0000

Thank you!

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Comment on Bassiouni’s Disappointment by jane

jane — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:45:32 +0000

Don’t know about anyone else, but I saw nothing unexpected or new in Prof. Bassiouni’s report. Yawning one’s way through it, whether balanced, pro or against, the word ‘sectarianism’ has been deemed a ‘politically incorrect’ utterance it seems. For goodness sake, the international media never ever mention Shiite and Sunni with regard to Syria. I have absolutely no idea why!
Sectarianism hasn’t been healed in 1500 years, so what magic powers has anyone in Bahrain/the world got that will fix it, when minarets are still screaming God’s vengeance of one sort or another. Hell, even football matches in the UK are sectarian.
One must ask; what would ‘really’ actually change in Bahrain if the dominance was altered?
Many say the best years in Bahrain was the late 70s early 80s when just about ‘anything goes/went’, but not in the villages apparently and certainly not in the hearts of the people. But expats liked it.
Then the Ayatollah arrived and funny how this place ‘dramatically’ changed but nobody dare mention it.
Then the National Charter through 2000 ostensibly gave many a voice and even a job, to some extent, but still the rules meant little as it appears there are many Gods with very different children.
In the end, if ever, perhaps only fear itself which has created this cauldron can break that pathetic indoctrination. But since it will ‘never’ be off the table at any negotiations, one can only sit on the side and hope that the mass of somewhat ‘quite gentle’ Bahrainis can shine through.

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Comment on Bassiouni’s Disappointment by DANA

DANA — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:45:35 +0000

Steve, nobody who is truly connected to this country will be able to divorce themselves from what is going on, or completely give up hope, no matter how hopeless it may seem at times.

Bahrain is about more than what you see. there is a lot more to the country than what system rules it. And that intangible something is special enough to hold out hope for a better future, which sees the country and its people be all it/they can be – not matter how bleak it may look right now.

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Comment on Bassiouni’s Disappointment by Steve the American

Steve the American — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:34:47 +0000

Bahrain is hosed, Dana. You can’t have a representative democracy that respects individual rights under the current monarchy which is backed by Saudi Arabia. Game over. You’ll always be a subject there, never a citizen.

If you’d like a free life where you command your circumstances and future, you need to flee to the West. Bahrain is hopeless. Living there is a dead end.

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Comment on A glimmer of light at the end of a rather dark tunnel by Just Bahraini

Just Bahraini — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:45:21 +0000

Your attachment to religion as a foundation of this issue (which is not the focus of Mahmood’s post, nor Dr Ali Fahro’s initiative) is interesting.

Who has been thrown into jail on the basis of criticism of religious dogma this past year? Most of the hundreds of imprisonments I’ve heard of have been on the basis of political expression.

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Comment on Bassiouni’s Disappointment by DANA

DANA — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:53:24 +0000

I’ve been to China Steve. But we are digressing. The focus here is Bahrain.

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Comment on Bassiouni’s Disappointment by Steve the American

Steve the American — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:55:53 +0000

Go read up on China, Dana. You can start with the ghost cities they are building. Then ask yourself, are ghost cities the future or are they evidence of massive government bungling.

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Comment on A glimmer of light at the end of a rather dark tunnel by Milter

Milter — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:23:47 +0000

@Just Bahraini.

Maybe we don’t quite understand each other. Maybe our backgrounds are too different. I understand your words as meaning, that a solution without the acceptance of the scholars is not viable, but let me start with these words from your comment:

“As an expat (former?) you can claim that the divisions are religious and too deep to overcome”.

Yes, I am a former expat, but, I have never claimed that those religious divides cannot be overcome. All I’m saying, is that the longer the people of Bahrain let religious allegiances govern their minds and decisions, the longer it will take to find a lasting solution to the problems of your country. Mahmood’s words, yours and the translation of Dr. Ali Fakhro’s speech indicate that some people do want to move beyond the situation where people are divided into Sunnis, Shias, Catholics, Protestants, Jews, Hindus, and, yes even, Polytheists and Non-Believers!

And yes, I do know that that kind of people do exist in Bahrain, but, as long as they can’t express their opinions without fear of persecution of some kind from The State or individuals, the longer and more painful the transition to a fully liberal, secular and democratic society will be. Isn’t that what you want: A fully liberal, secular and democratic society?

The constitution of Bahrain and a lot of other countries undermine the importance of “Freedom of expression”. If that freedom doesn’t include the unlimited freedom to criticise, reject or even ridicule the ideas and dogmas of a religion without fear of being thrown into jail, you will only see a very slow progress in breaking down those religious barriers.

Yes, I agree, the transition cannot be done in one big leap. It will take some time. And the changes will in the end come from the voters because in a democracy they are the ones that call the shots. The final outcome will depend on what those voters want, and if they want a state run by religious scholars, that’s what you will get.

If that happens, allow me to say: May your God have mercy on you and your neighbours!

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Comment on A glimmer of light at the end of a rather dark tunnel by Just Bahraini

Just Bahraini — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 10:55:31 +0000

Milter, in this country, the real structural changes are not made by politicians and voters. In fact, that is the point. Until they are, it is the rulers who can implement the separation of state, which as you correctly point out, is total in a total democracy.

In our process of transition, I believe the solution will not be total in one step, and the process may take some years, but it does not help when people incorrectly define the issue. It’s political and real, therefore its solution must be political and real. A movement towards the separation of powers is the first step. Most people commenting on democracy focus on the votes, but a vote is litle use if Step 1 isn’t implemented

As an expat (former?) you can claim that the divisions are religious and too deep to overcome, but that view doesn’t serve my country. As a Bahraini I prefer to look for solutions and support those who seek to generate them.

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