Once again we hear our esteemed parliamentarians urging the restriction of freedoms in the guise of “protecting the young” from various “foreign” influences, this time from the chairman no less. He is advocating the setting up of a national monitoring system to control what we see, hear, read and probably think.
Although we have to give him the benefit of the doubt in that he wants to tackle an important problem dealing with youth, he should be made amply aware that should not come at the cost of further restrictions in opinions, no matter where they come from.
It has been demonstrated by countless democracies that formulating laws to force a certain behaviour does not work, what does work is education. I hesitate to think that adding to the numerous religious schools, institutions and yet another governmental restrictive monitor will have any effect on peoples’ morals, on the contrary, they might cause rebellious attitudes at worst or drive these attitudes to the underground at best. Both of which we do not want.
There is obviously no consideration given to the repercussions of such suggestions, should they ever come into law, then we’re once again diving head-long into fire. Should Mr. Al-Dhahrani and the whole parliament for that matter not strive to ensure freedoms rather than restricting them?
So far we haven’t heard any national debate regarding the forthcoming “smart card” with all of its negative implications in squandering personal and private information, we have not heard the parliament debating any code that protects our private information, however we continue to hear of schemes such as what the honourable gentleman suggests in the restriction of freedoms of expression.
As to his vision of increasing the tuition of Arabic and Islamic studies, aren’t we better off offering more lessons in scientific and English language subjects which are much more useful in this day and age? Isn’t the introduction of English language at an earlier age and strengthening the tuition of scientific and engineering subjects in government schools will result in more employable youths, the very ones he wants to protect?
I agree with him on one count however, and that is to hire internationally renown consultants and organistations of repute to come up with a new and comprehensive educational system to overhaul the antiquated and sometimes useless one we have which is contributing to the increasing lines of unemployed.
Comments
Get youths off the streets… into the mosque!
It is ironic that Mr Al-Dharani has suggested more time in the mosque is the best cure for anti-social behaviour amongst Bahrain’s youth, when this week we’ve had a gang of Bahraini youths shouting “Allah o Akhbar” as they vandalised parked cars in Manama in the middle of the night.
Re: Get youths off the streets… into the mosque!
I didn’t hear of this incident. I did however read about a mob of around 100 people a few nights ago near the old police fort who intended to barge in and “free” the detained Nancy Ajram unfan-club. They were apparently dissuaded from that thought by a cleric of some sort.
Any idea why these people vandalised cars in the incident you mention?
The problem I’m having tremendous difficulty understanding is the same as yours, and that is that these MPs are using/want to use Islam as the “magic cure all” to all of our society’s ills. Further they’re imposing their own ideas and opinions with complete disregard to scientific thinking and analysis to find a medien that will actually work for the people they represent.
We can’t hope for miracles though, what my own mission if you want to call it that is to demonstrate to these people through this blog and the various letters I write to the papers that there is someone who’s oppositing their “quick-fix” cures. Maybe these peaceful actions will get them to think before they speak!
Get youths off the streets… into the mosque!
I think you’re doing a great job with this blog – at last some mature thinking about the problems facing not just Bahrain but the entire region.
The problem in Bahrain is that the professional and business middle classes, as well as what urban working class there is, don’t seem to want to involve themselves in politics, choosing instead to either to work through traditional networks of patronage or just sit on their hands. Democratisation’s only going to work if these sections of the population – which tend to be more socially liberal – actually take a stance and work to promote civil society. However, as yet, besides some NGOs which are doing a good job, the middle classes seem pretty unenthusiasitc about the whole democratic process, and this is not helping political development.
No idea why these thugs (“disaffected young people” as no doubt their apologists would dub them) decided to go round kicking in cars’ wing mirrors to cries of Allah o Akhbar – Wednesday’s Tribune didn’t give too many details.
Re: Get youths off the streets… into the mosque!
Yes I agree with you. The middle class is adopting a “wait and see” strategy, maybe borne out of apathy, fear or both. The people I interact with on a daily basis mostly belong to this demographic, and what I hear from them re-inforces the wait and see approach, or just resignation: “what can we do” seems to be the resounding answer.
If we as Bahrainis want to advance and make our voices heard we will have to give up that fence and jump right in. So far because of our apathy, we have not chosen the right people who could speak for us in parliament, and we are clearly suffering now.
Get youths off the streets… into the mosque!
Why was the bail reduced for those taken into custody for rioting, damaging public and private property? Was it reduced to bring praise to the ‘official’ that allowed this bail to be reduced?
Another question I have no answers to. Why was everyone going on about nancy’s concert flawing islamic views? This isnt the first time we had a femal singer come to bahrain.
– To all those villagers who make life difficult.
Just because you couldnt get your own way, doesnt mean you have the right to resort to violence. How would you like it if i came and smashed up your car windows, and stoned your neck of the woods? The concert wasnt a public event, nor was it in your face! I doubt you wouldve even been able to afford the ticket prices in the first place. I regard you as terrorists, as you brought terror to all those concert-goers and people in that commercial area. If there is one image you are spoiling in the public arena, it is that of your own.
Okay, Im done now.
xox Aaron xox
[Modified by: AaronBoy (aaronboy) on December 10, 2003 01:03 AM]
Get youths off the streets… into the mosque!
Perusing my GDN last week I read that Mr Al-Dharani has had to put back the launch of his new parliamentary committee on anti-social behaviour for various “procedural” reasons – ie the MPs (including women’s rights activist Ali Mattar) couldn’t get their act together to be in the same room all at once. Well let’s hope that the breather gives them a chance to read of some of the lively debate in the local press that Mr Al-Dharani’s proposals has prompted, because so far I’ve heard nothing: the honorable chair has neither addressed the concerns of the public about his ideas, nor even acknowledged that these exist.
I know the MPs are finding their way forward, but its important that they engage in public debate rather than ignore it as a tiresome distraction.