“I am scared,” a Saudi man told me after the Khobar attacks. “There is no clear vision to where my country is heading. We want to progress, but we also want to live like the good Muslims did 1,400 years ago. We want to change, but we believe that change is the road to hell. We want the people to have a role in leading the country, but we don’t want democracy. We want to have dialogue with the West, but our preachers are preaching every Friday that all westerners, or non-Muslims, go to hell.”
This is what not only most Saudis are torn between, but the the whole Muslim world, particularly the “liberals” within those societies. We experience these kinds of thoughts here in Bahrain on a daily basis in our struggle for democracy and transparency and more importantly against the dark forces of extremist Islamists from both sides and can see their effect tresspassing on our ways of life.
I wonder how long it will be when the Salafis/Wahabis or even the extremist Shi’as become too disenchanted with the way things are in Bahrain and start blowing things up here too…
Comments
Holy Rollers
I don’t even want to get started with what’s happening here in Bahrain. There are days when I drift off into a dreamlike trance, drooling at the mouth thinking of the future of Bahrain and our presence among the global community. And then there are the days when you open up the newspaper and read about how some religious leader has infringed on MY rights to watch a reality TV show or to go to some concert and scare off possible investors because he says so. The sad thing is that instead of following the democratic peaceful route to voice their opinions, they’ve decided to let havoc reign, storming restaurants armed with knives and swords and hurling rocks at the cars of the concertgoers.
Our parliament is another wonderful example of where these righteous dudes are just totally screwing everyone over. Now I understand this is the beginning of a democracy and that Rome wasn’t built in a day and all that fun stuff. But is it too much to ask for you folk to get the three brain cells you have in your head to stop fighting so that you can discuss something of importance. It just makes me want to scream. Trust me, you need to read Mahmood’s blog on a daily basis to understand the state of affairs in Bahrain and how some of these PMs have no grasp of economic policies, investment, or even public sentiment. As long as they’re happy driving their new luxury cars enjoying their new lavish lifestyle, everything’s cool.
It’s these “Religious Leaders” (I’m sorry I have to come back to these people, it’s one of those days) that condone our women covering themselves up because it’s the Islamic thing to do. One of their wonderful excuses for having women cover up is so that men cannot be tempted. So, if I understand their logic right, a woman’s hair might tempt a man to be vulgar and sexually harass her. I didn’t know I was such a pig… My “religious leaderâ€? has already branded me as a sexual deviant! What kind of people do we have interpreting our religion, if they’ve already condemned all men as misfits? If these so called spiritual leaders really want to do something right, maybe they should preach to our lost youth that running an Indian over and killing him will land you in jail and hopefully for life.
This is just part of the anxiety that I deal with on a daily basis; the only thing that keeps me going is the other group of people on this island that share the same ideals and views as myself. PRESERVE THE PROMISE THAT BAHRAIN HAS TO OFFER!
Great Job Mahmood
Beardo Weirdos suck..
Re: Holy Rollers
They are partly in parliament because of the vacuum created by the boycotting societies. Whether we like it or not, the 4 societies have been active a lot longer than the ones who have slipped into parliament and we see the result, most are just lay people who jumped at the chance.
I am not saying in any way that the 4 boycotting societies are the best and could have resulted in a better parliament, that is open for debate and we may never get the answer to this question if they decide once again not to go in for the next election. But what we have now are very naive and inexperienced bunch with no demarcation between what a mosque speech and parliamentary debate. They base their actions, support and opposition just by their narrow interpretation of Islam – exclusively. Islam in my view although the great religion, the last religion, the most tolerant religion and all that, it is scripture that does allow for universally agreed interpretation. Hence, it probably is not comensurate with political life which by its very nature is the seeking and agreeing on a middle ground.
So the problem in my view is that the place for these clerics is in religious establishments and not the parliament. Parliament should involve itself in the civil life of its citizens and not religious or religiously inspired debate.
See what happened a few days ago when the Minister of Information was questioned by Ali Mattar regarding the expenditure for programs in Ramadhan last year. What the hell does he know about television and television production? Other than having a brother who works for the TV, nothing. The real reason for the question is to snare the Minister in admiting that his wife (Afnan Al-Zayani) produces a cooking program and she’s paid BD 400 per episode. Who gives a shit how much a person who produces a successful program is paid? As if the 400 Dinars is going to really make her a rich woman. I know in the “real” world producers of successful programs get paid 6 figures and up, and this twirp has nothing better to do than criticise the program and the Minister.
The other guy can’t be outdone, our beloved Adel Al-Moawdah chirped in and complained why the Islamic program producers only get paid BD 30 or 40 per episode, forgeting to mention that those producers are employed permanently by the TV and get monthly wages, so they shouldn’t be paid anything extra for what they get paid per month anyway. Why pay a “mukafa’a” or bonus for preparing a program which you are paid to do anyway? Those bonuses could be employed in other areas.
Not resting there, he accused Bahrain TV of placing “sweets and kababs” in a higher stature than religious teaching, thus squarely classifying women to the kitchen and their unimportance. I was gratified to read in today’s Al-Ayam newspaper the Women Society’s response and attack on this jerk asking him when there are much more important matter to consider in parliamentary time, why is he wasting its time with veiled women drivers and growing beards in the security aparatus, and (here’s the kicker) they demanded that he and his ilk concentrate on reformation of the judicial system and enact the Personal Law to regulate families and women’s rights rather than what they have been discussing since the start of parliament.
This is what happens when you put clerics in parliament. Women AND men’s rights get trounced in the name of the religion they so narrowly interpret.
I wish someone (Bahrain TV are you listening?) would go out to their constituencies and ask people who voted for these twats WHY they voted for them and if they would repeat the performance next time around.
Torn between Wahabi heaven and hell
Asalah’s campaign to make it easier for its supporters to get jobs in the security forces by stopping the government discriminating against bearded candidates is in fact a serious issue with implications in terms of preventing an Al-Khobar style terror attack. The attacks in Saudi Arabia have been carried out with – at the very least – the collusion of members of the security forces. How do we know these people can be trusted once they’re allowed to enter Bahrain’s security forces?
While I’d agree that not having Al-Nuaimi and his leftists in parliament is a loss, I don’t see any evidence that Al-Wefaq Islamic Action would be anything but marginally better than Asalah. If you look at the performance of Al-A’ali and his friend’s agenda you get a reasonable idea of what would happen if Al-Wefaq stood next time round. And while the non sectarian NDA might make inroads into Asalah’s predominantely Sunni constituencies, what’s the chances of Al Wefaq doing the same?
Re: Torn between Wahabi heaven and hell
I agree with your overall feeling and I firmly believe that religions should not participate in parliaments. My assertion that had Al-Wefaq stood in the last elections, because of their experience, we might have had better people than Al-Saidi and co. I could very well be mistaken in my belief here, but I don’t think by much. I think that Al-Wefaq because of its experience it would be more flexible and contribute to this democracy much more than Asala and Minbar.
I agree with you also that the liberals would have contributed a LOT more than Asala/Minbar/Wefaq combined and I do hope that they will stand for the next elections, because if they don’t, I will be left with a dilema, how to cast my vote. And would hate to have to do that based on looks rather than consequence!
Torn between Wahabi heaven and hell
Why is it that people want to live the way people did 1400 years ago? Life then, everywhere in the world, was short, brutal and nasty for most people. I guess it’s some sort of myth of a more innocent world without the complications of the modern world. The Nazis had a similar idea about a lost Golden Age of peace and harmony with nature, free from all the “corruptions” of modernity. But anyone who has studied history knows that there was no Arcadia way back when. If only Saudis were taught more history – real history, not idealised stories of a lost Golden Age.
Re: Torn between Wahabi heaven and hell
Jasra,
I may be more hopeful for Bahrain than you are, though perhaps because I see it dimly from a far distance.
[quote]1. The Salafi/Wahabbi approach is not as ingrained into our Bahraini psyches as much as it is ingrained in Saudi. Whilst we do have our fair share of them, Bisht Man to name but one, I dont think the support for them is as widespread as it is in Saudi.[/quote]
It appears that Wahhabism only thrives in a vacuum outside Saudi Arabia. They were able to set up shop in Pakistan with a network of madrassas because there was no public education and a thin government structure. It is easy to succeed against nothing. Likewise, they settled in Afghanistan because it was a void, no real government at all. They could easily buy the Taliban off.
Now the only place they thrive is in Waziristan, outside the reach of the Pakistani government. Another vacuum.
It seems to me that if you have any substantial government structure at all and a healthy public school system, Wahhabism has little to offer.
[quote]3. Will Bahrain ever be a venue for any terrorist threat? I dont see why not. Madrid was not immune, why should we be? [/quote]
Spain was one of the coalition supplying troops for the occupation of Iraq. Bahrain isn’t. Spain is a lost Muslim country in Bin Laden’s eyes, Andalusia. Bahrain has always been Muslim. Spain is Western, one of us evil crusader nations seeking to fight Islam and so on and on, ya da da, ya da da. Bahrain is Eastern.
The Wahhabis still have plenty of shopping malls, universities, and kindergartens to bomb in the West before they ever consider turning back on Bahrain.
[quote]4. Will there be support for violent terrorist activity in Bahrain by the Bahrainis? [/quote]
This is the key issue. As Mao said, guerrillas swim in the population like a fish swims in the sea. They can only survive with the support of the population.
It’s pretty obvious that the Wahhabi jihadis operate at will because they have the support of ordinary Saudis. You can’t drag Western corpses behind your bumper all over town without a single person trying to stop you unless they like what you are doing.
My sense is that the Bahrainis do not favor murder for Islam and would not support dragging corpses through their streets.
Your tactical disadvantage is that it is easier to make demonstrations of radicalism than to make demonstrations of moderation. You have to shift the fight from faith to reason. You have to wear down the radicals with respectful but sharp and relentless questioning to justify their actions in reasonable terms.
Steve
Torn between Wahabi heaven and hell
I have been debating this myself. And I am not sure where I come out on this yet. I see some fundamental differences between and Saudi. Here are some:
1. The Salafi/Wahabbi approach is not as ingrained into our Bahraini psyches as much as it is ingrained in Saudi. Whilst we do have our fair share of them, Bisht Man to name but one, I dont think the support for them is as widespread as it is in Saudi.
2. I dont know whether there will ever be a true union between extreme Wahabbis and extreme Shia. The Wahabbis consider the Shia to be ‘Kiffar’. And I doubt that any politically active and savvy Shia will ever support the Salafis. The Shia would be the first to lose in any future Wahabbi government in Bahrain.
3. Will Bahrain ever be a venue for any terrorist threat? I dont see why not. Madrid was not immune, why should we be?
4. Will there be support for violent terrorist activity in Bahrain by the Bahrainis? This is where I am hoping that the proximity of the Al Khobar bombings will change the psyche on the street. I think that people are realizing that violence will not really solve any of the underlying problems. I think there would be solid support for increased secutity apparatus’ in the country at this stage. If only to keep arms and weapons out and thus stop the possible importation of any Saudi based problems into Bahrain.
5. Last, but not least, I have faith in the Bahraini people. We are not as schizophrenic as the Saudis. Nor have we seen the drop in the standard of living that the Saudis have experienced in the last 10 years. And thank God, we are a multi religious, multi sect society. We have churches, mosques and a synagogue. I think the real test is that we, the Bahraini’s, have to fight to maintain the level of tolerance and openess that we have long taken for granted. And I am not so sure that this is such a bad thing ..
Torn between Wahabi heaven and hell
Ashamed to read about the murderous attack in SA. I was not taught very much about Arabic history or culture but I never harboured ill will or a negative feeling. Muslims in my country, that I know, do not hold this radical point of view. I don’t speak against anyones’ religious beliefs, nor will I, unless they promote violence and hatred. Blogs like this confirm beyond a doubt that these cowards were without human conscience and soul and are the minority. Sad that the Arabic countries and affiliated others are feeling the heat for these disgusting beings.
But standing up and speaking up against this form of evil is the first line of extinguishing this flame of hatred from a minority of misfits. Small though it may be, more will have to, to differentiate between the liars and the true believers.
They voice of change for all Arab and Muslims must come from within. Sounds like I am hearing it now. This is only one tiny voice but I don’t think I am alone in this line of thought.
Again my express condolences for the victims, may peace find your loved ones.
leap frog
Re: Torn between Wahabi heaven and hell
Well here’s part of what I’m talking about:
This is just one form of terrorism that these Salafis/Wahabis are trying to give us a taste of. As if banning alcohol in both Saudi and Kuwait restricted its availability.
Torn between Wahabi heaven and hell
Good post jasri-jedi. It will happen, because all it’s about is power. It’s going to take the good people of Bahrain to stand up against it, just as the world needs to stand together against it. There is no other choice.
Re(1): Torn between Wahabi heaven and hell
But Bahrain is the base for the US Navy’s 5th fleet… such a plum for them isn’t it?
Re(1): Torn between Wahabi heaven and hell
I am not sure whether my impressions from outside are mistaken but don’t you think that even though wifaq has obviously no overall common agenda with asala and minbar they might still combine forces with regard to e.g. family law reform? Which – to my impression – neither sunni nor shi’i Islamistis want to tackle?
Also, I wonder, is there any strategy by business people to counter Islamists’ influence?
Re(2): Torn between Wahabi heaven and hell
Al-Muntada (the Forum) is a new society which started in 2001 who’s mandate is to involve business people in politics. They held a couple of public meeting (as far as I can gather) one of which I attended last month, and another a couple of nights ago. The topics of discussion in the first was liberalism and its history in this area of the world and 3 prominent Kuwaiti liberals presented, while the last one was the role of business people in politics. There is a report on that in today’s GDN:
As to the possible “collusion” between the religious groupings, I can see them acting together to block laws which they perceive as detrimental to their way of thinking, you cited one case which is the Personal Effects Law. The Arabic saying goes “me and my brother against my cousin, and me and my cousin against a stranger” which might hold true here.
Re(3): Torn between Wahabi heaven and hell
thank you very much. why do you think kuweiti business people seem to be such a lot more influential – or maybe that’s only an impression they manage to give of themselves? it can’t really have historical reasons, bahrain has had its merchants in the past and still has these families also cited in the article?
Re(4): Torn between Wahabi heaven and hell
Kuwait has a longer history with parliamentary life than we do. Their first constitution was in the 1920s I think and before the advent of oil, the businesspeople – all over the gulf – had a direct hand in running the country because they contributed to the coffers. When oil was discovered the ruling families no longer depended on businesspeople as much, hence they were sidelined.
That’s the short version.
Torn between Wahabi heaven and hell
Great blog by the way 🙂
>>secular<< hate to bring it up straight away, but this is the centre of your problems. I am not expert on Islam or any religion, esp, Christianity, that is way too wired, anyway I digress....Whenever I here any of these Extreamists, The word they spit out is >>secularism<< and they usually go on to rant about its absolute opposite of Godly and Islamic values, which I find as much strange as they find in secularism. Lets get it right, The purpose of secualrism is NOT just to protect the state from religion, but also to protect the religion from the state. How does it do this you may ask? Well to protect >>religion<< you need to give people the freedom to choose to worship, thereby safeguarding the rights of the >>flock<< to follow there chosen belief. Is not a love that is entered into freely more sweet, and long lasting, than a forced or false love? If this is the dominating policy of the populace and the governing elite then you will be able to make progress peacefully. So to marginalise the current crop of clergy you have to sell them a policy that makes them feel good about their position, ie you are safeguarding the continuation of thier religion, the one they see themselves as custodians off. Take the Great Satan 🙂 It is founded on a constitution of seperation, this was because they were persecuted for their religious teaching, so they wrote a constitution protecting themselves from the state, and what you have today is a county that on one extreme has the decadant porn industry and on the other extreme the piety of the Amish people, living a religious life not changed for hundreds of years. failing all this friends, our seperation came from a very brutal civil war in the 1630s..take your pick. Good Luck.
Re(1): Torn between Wahabi heaven and hell
Patrick, UK
I posted the original post by the way.
So your stratagy should be to sell the 73 different sects, secularism as thier safeguard to protect themselves, against the state and other sects.
Dont let the Islamists dictate the definition of secualism, define it for your own needs, as french secualism is very different from american secualism.
-p-
Re: Torn between Wahabi heaven and hell
That’s the crux of the problem as I see it too. Too many religious people trying to impose their will and their own interpretation of Islam on the whole country. And when you have 73 sects in Islam, it’s like a juggling game, so secularism will even help Islam and not act against it.
But who’s listening?
Torn between Wahabi heaven and hell
Mahmood.
I think there are a lot of people who are listening. And questioning. A lot more today than there were a few years ago. The massive denial that happened after 9-11 is slowly beginning to change. I see a difference in the way people think and talk and evaluate.
JJ
Re: Torn between Wahabi heaven and hell
2006. I can’t wait for it to come around, yet at the same time I want it to be delayed as much as possible!
Re(1): Torn between Wahabi heaven and hell
Well .. 2006 is the question, isnt it. I think Al Wifaq will come in quite strongly. They are much more politically organized than the rest of the candidates. The key quesiton is whether they can actually push the ‘right’ agenda through or not. And that depends on the leadership of Al Wifaq… times, they are a changing …