update 20:05: I wrongly thought that this video was showing newly naturalized citizens about to cast their ballots. That notion was corrected by Ehsan, hence I have corrected the main heading of the piece (removed “casting their ballots”). Thanks Ehsan.
Comments
Is it just me or is the camera guy’s attitude really racist?
It is. But forget the messenger and concentrate on the message… I wonder why tens of people gather around a uniform before casting their ballots? Especially as they don’t understand nor speak Arabic apparently.
Do you think they were asked, or maybe even paid, to do this?
At this particular juncture, I would believe anything.
I’ve seen that video two months ago. That’s in the immigrations office, when they handed out passports to new citizens. The only condition being that you spent 15 years in Bahrain.
Of course a lot of naturalized citizens voted yesterday, but the video isn’t about them casting ballots.
Thanks for the correction Ehsan.
As a Bahraini citizen, I believe that those who have spent their lives serving our country and living amongst our people deserve to be naturalised. Some of these people are more loyal to our country than scores of our locals. They contribute to our economy, keep us living happily and take the jobs that other bahrainis refuse. When they are given their citizenship is irrelevant. period. I don’t like the outcome of the elections too, but I also don’t pick on the helpless. These people have been waiting all their lives for that red passport. The treatment they get as a result is disgusting, utterly disgusting.
I am a bahraini citizen, born and raised. My parents, grandparents, etc are all bahraini – just a heads up.
Anon agree with your sentiments long serving economically well off expats who contribute to the economy should be welcomed by all countries.
But take a look at majority of the NON MUSLIM longest resident in Bahrain Indian Traders in Manama who are economically very well off, and they are not a burden on the society as majority of them actually willingly employ Bahraini’s as well along with their family members.
I would love some one to go and interview these NON MUSLIM Indian Origin traders who are fairly famous for their establishments in Manama, how many of these deserving citizens who are by no means a Burden have actually received Nationality.
Compare this to the engineered naturalization who only increase the burden on the resources of the economy.
My view would be if Nationality is to be granted then those who are fullfilling a certain ECONOMIC Criteria along with LONG STAY should be considered first as they have truly been of service. But this section of the society no one considers or speaks to.
This community by nature is only TRADING minded and keeps its mouth shut on political issues, but its a loss to the nation if such hard working econmically independent resource is allowed to migrate out of the country as is happening over the last 5-10 years.
http://top3gp.com/11/top3gp_85566310.3gp
enjoy
This video is so shameful, while Bahraini’s don’t have a decent shelter, we have minorities suddenly taking any slight chance of our actual right in our country.
A live example happened to my mother during the elections. She was in Awali, and decided to vote in the nearest election location which was in “safra”!! When she left the voting stands, she encountered a naturalized lady with a weird accent which rudely asked my mum … “so you voted for the Bahraini guy, you look Bahraini to me”.. my mother replied.. “why? aren’t you bahraini? ” the lady just left as soon as she gave my mother a few scarey stares.
I’m just outraged at the intrusivness that this lady had against my mother, for god’s sake they’re in our own country and they try to outstand us.. this is just amazing, purely amazing.
Thanks mahmood for sharing the video.
Being Bahraini should be a privelege, offered to people who can conribute to the country through academic or professional expertise of which we have a need, or investment. otherwise it is devalued by offering it to every tom, dick and harry, no matter how long they have stayed here
basic facts; global economy basically equals getting the the cheapest individuals you can get to to the job at minimum acceptable standards, some people will argue this but it is very much true here in Bahrain the mostly asian people can be treated and run around like virtual slaves, something you could not routinely do with a Bahraini. Is a Bahraini buisness person going to hire 200 locals at 300 a month or the same number of indians for a third of that. You have many problems here one being the wages have been driven down so low by this there is never going to be a very strong Bahraini middle class, my goodness I have taught Bahraini’s for ten years they are not stupid just many are lacking any ounce of drive our work ethic the common phrase “suitable job” makes me boil. what is real frightening about this is any body who has studied basic socio-economics understands that having a large number of unemployed people especially anger teenagers is a recipe for disaster. The naturalization will have many effects one large one is you will slowly over time water down your culture to make it look like a different country all together, which is sad in a way, greed is powering this motor.
So what if they were “naturalised”. I lived in America for a long time and witnessed atleast 3 elections, never once have I heared such racist words. Most of these people lived here all their lives and DO contribute to the economy. The fact that they don’t speak Arabic is no big deal, most of our kids don’t speak or read Arabic…..should they be excluded? most of the old people still speek Persian….exclusion????How about Bahrainies living abroad all their lives?? Bahrainies from Saudi origin?? Where do we draw the line?
How many “undesirable forigners” voted? Did they really tip the scale in any district? I think not.
I completely agree with Romster. It is disturbing the way these new citizens are treated.
I remember once talking to a fellow Bahraini about a friend of mine from Pakistani origin (who happens to be born and raised in Bahrain – with a Bahraini passport since birth). The fellow Bahraini insisted that my friend wasn’t a “real” Bahraini. I was infuriated, to say the least. As a Bahraini living abroad, I’ve seen newly naturalised US citizens being treated with utmost respect. I’ve seen them welcomed with open arms into a society in which they were neither born nor raised in. Against this backdrop, the rampant racism back home continues to perplex me.
I’m the same “Anon” that’s commented above – again, born and raised in Bahrain, and so are my parents, grandparents, etc (in fact, they are all still there).
Only in Bahrain have I seen an Indian slapped in the street simply for being Indian. As a 12 year old witnessing such a senseless act, I was forever scarred. The poor guy was guilty of “walking while Indian”.
Maybe that’s the reason I find it so hard to even begin contemplating coming back. Some of the biggest egos I’ve ever encountered come from a country that houses a population smaller than Manhattan’s. Shame.
Excuse my rant. That video really hit a nerve.
I share your sentiments Anon.
I have seen (and not understood) similar racist attitudes towards Pakis and Indians in other gulf states. (Asian also). I dont really understand the root of it. Is it a power trip? I have a feeling it is. “Oh! Look at this stupid and lowly Pakistani trying to apply to become Bahraini!”
Considering how south-east asians and indians and pakis pretty much built the gulf countries, I find it hard to see how they can be looked down with such contempt.
Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that many of the youths in those countries do not really “need” to work hard for a living, and thus cannot appreciate the concept of hard work.
-Ibn
What goes around comes around…if you treat someone like an animal you get treated like an animal.No wonder arabs at Guantanamo bay are being treated like Indians and Pakis in Bahrain ..(WAKE UP CALL!!!) =(
I agree with some of your sentiments regarding our treatment, generally, of newly naturalised Bahrainis. But differ greatly in its application or interpretation.
I don’t think there is anyone in Bahrain against legal naturalisation, this is a process which is available in every country on Earth and should be encouraged. For instance, a country would reduce its waiting time to get scientists who are home-grown by inviting them to their country to assist in its development, same with doctors, engineers and even sportsmen and women, and of course would strengthen its economy by inviting investors and entrepreneurs to establish their businesses and provide employment to the local population. All of this should be encouraged.
I would even categorically have no problem whatsoever by providing citizenship to whoever is born here. It doesn’t matter if the parents lived here for a day or for the majority of their lives. If a person is born here, to me, that person is Bahraini enjoying all the rights and privileges of any other Bahraini.
I also have no problem whatsoever with any Bahraini having dual-citizenship, this, I understand is necessary in a lot of situations. The proviso I have with this is to see if the person actually lives most of their time in Bahrain then s/he should be eligible to vote, if on the other hand that person does not, then he should be allowed to keep the Bahraini nationality for as long as they want, and give it to their children, but should not be allowed to vote. This, I think, is how the UK does it; you pay your taxes you can vote, if you are a non-resident Britain then you can’t vote.
The problem that the majority of us DO have could be summarised as the following:
In view of the dearth of resources this country suffers from; in the absence of the fair distribution of wealth and opportunities; in the dearth of public services, be they health or education or housing, we feel that the priority should be given to the indigenous Bahrainis an do not allow others – some might say, non-productive in the traditional sense other than those professions outlined above – to crowd the very small opportunities haphazardly available to the indigenous population.
Further, any naturalisation regardless of profession, should never be given on political basis, especially not to purposefully change the demographics of the country for political ends.
The other thing that angers Bahrainis is that most of the naturalisations which happened over the last 30 or so years have been done with exceptions to the naturalisation law, rather than by applying it as the law intended. There is a complete absence of procedure and clear laws which should be applied here. This must be corrected by the new parliament, and the ability to grant citizenships by exception should be completely removed from the laws.
It is this that irks Bahrainis, and I think, very rightly so.
How do other countries grant citizenship? How does the States, the UK, Canada, Australia or even India grant citizenship? Don’t that have clear rules and regulations and agreed processes to do so? Further, don’t they have a limit on granting citizenship per year as they calculate it as a small percentage of the natural population growth in their countries? Of course they do. Do we follow the same processes in Bahrain? No. With us, the intention has almost always been politically motivated.
Citizenship is a source of pride. It should be something that is cherished and protected, rather than completely diluted as has happened in Bahrain.
I agree with most of your views about the naturalisation,but it does not mean that if the people of the country are unhappy about the government policies they should take it out on the people who are miles away from their home trying to earn some decent amount of income. All it will do is grow more hatered amongst the diversed communities.
I have been living in U.S for sometime and i have seen illegal immigrants mostly Mexicans, i have never seen anyone being discriminated just because they are illegal immigrant or get slapped on the side of the road for being a Mexican or even being beaten up on the side of the road just the fact he wants an American citizenship.
My point is no matter what race you are you should be treated like a Human is supposed to..every life should be valued..besides its Indians and Pakis in Bahrain who take the low level job which a Bahraini would not prefer and get beaten up just because they are taking care of there children..
Why cant everyone live happily ever after??… =P
Cultural differences between what you observe in the States and Bahrain are bound to happen. I suggest that the antipathy to certain foreigners here is born out of ignorance, prejudice and fear for own livelihoods. That will only change once the culture is changed to respect human rights, and that can happen through grass root movements (NGOs, education) and the real and impartial application of laws and the provision of jobs and equal distribution of opportunities and wealth.
Mahmood is it not normal to fear for your on livelyhood? Bahrain is unique for it has a very small indigenous population Having been here for almost ten years training & working with individuals in the aviation field we laughed at this article in the GDN today, Elite will pay two hundred BD a month salary to Bahrainis please tellme a 25 year old man with two kids renting an apartment and with various other bills can live on this, and please don’t call me a racist but the majority of the wage scales companies use are based on employing people from the asian sub continent. What is really sad is there is no middle class here in Bahrain this should scare people.
Many of the key oil-exporting Middle Eastern countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Libya, Oman,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE — must find longer-term solutions to reducing foreign labor. It
drains capital because foreign workers repatriate much of their income to their own countries,
and it greatly exacerbates the problems created by regional demographics. At the same time,
Middle Eastern countries cannot achieve stability or support their energy sectors and economic
diversification — without skilled and productive native labor or key cadres of foreign talent.
Expelling foreign labor is not a solution in itself; productivity is as important as employment and limiting the outward flow of capital.
Wealthy as Qatar may be today, it must sharply reduce its current expenditures on foreign
labor to preserve its standard of wealth, and it must create meaningful jobs for its growing
number of young citizens. Qatar must also sharply reduce its dependence on foreign labor if it is
to ensure that it maintains its identity as a nation.
The same problems exist, however, in many other Gulf states. Dubai, for example, is
largely a South Asian state owned by Arabs.
It doubled its arrests of illegal immigrants in 1998, but this still only reached 4,000 versus 2,131 in 1997. The impact on its total number of legal and illegal foreign workers is negligible. Omanization in the Omani five year plan means reducing the percentage of foreigners as part of the total work force, but allowing an increase in their
absolute numbers. Past Saudi five years plans have seen the total number of foreign workers
increas over five years by the virtual mirror image of the percent by which they were supposed to
be reduced. Much of Bahrain’s employment problems are the product of over-dependence on
foreign workers coupled with a lucrative black market in illegal labor and illegal work visas.
It is interesting that even a small, wealthy oil and gas state is beginning to find that its
dependence on foreign labor poses major problems. Qatar thus serves as a warning of problems
that are much greater in nations like Bahrain and Saudi Arabia
One of the ironies of the Middle East is that many states, including virtually all Southern
Gulf states, are heavily dependent on foreign labor at a time when many of their own younger
citizens lack real and meaningful jobs and the training and work ethic to get them.
In many cases, these problems are reinforced by poor immigration policies that are
routinely violated by tolerating illegals, issuing visas for money, and by laws that require major
benefit packages for native labor that make native labor difficult to hire and fire. Some countries
are trying to solve the problem with erratic purges of foreign labor, but most still lack consistent
policies.
Yeah!! Well i guess for all what alfalfa wrote we need to end favouritism and inequality first.
Click to watch this link
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXXmZjZ1lek
Very pretty with the pseudo-Oakleys (they look fake anyway), but what comes out of the mouth is more than disgusting. I wonder what the Jordanian-Bahrainis think of this guy and his message…
this is not a problem unique to this part of the world. even the UK is struggling to decide how to control the influx of Poles and other Eastern Europeans who have a much better work ethic than the Brits and will work for much less pay. in many areas, they are occupying jobs while locals go without one.being an EU member it is a tricky situation having to be politically correct, but it still an issue that must be sorted. the same arguments are heard there about how they will do the jobs locals aren’t interested in. in some areas where there are large numbers of them, they are resented by locals.
its great to air dirty laundry and discuss solutions, it is also good to remember we are not the only people who have any.
hi,my nname is ali my family lived in bahrain for 40 years my father worked in police for 35 years.inn bahrain people woh lived for 5 years got nationality.but we still didnt i want to ask why we born in bahrain why they didnt gave us nationality my father applied 4 times but no answer when he retierd from police he left bahrain.
respected sir, i gave my comments before also my family have been in bahrain for 40 years and still 3 of my brothers are working in police for the king dom of bahrain i have borned in king dom and lived 25 years and by the law of bahrain immigration 25 years u have the rights for the nationality.sir check the peoples who got it most of them livin in king dom 5 or at least 10 years.