Sectarian split at its peak in Bahrain as elections near
Web posted at: 11/18/2006 2:35:31
Source ::: REUTERS
MANAMA • In an election campaign tent on a patch of dusty wasteland, Shi’ite Bahraini Nader Al Hamad points to the run-down homes nearby; each family has experienced exile, prison, death or unemployment for being Shi’ite, he says.
Hamad is running the election campaign of his wife, Ameena Abbas, a candidate in the Gulf island’s November 25 municipal and parliamentary elections. Shi’ites, the majority in the Sunni-ruled kingdom, boycotted the previous poll in 2002.
Sectarian split at its peak in Bahrain as elections near
Web posted at: 11/18/2006 2:35:31
Source ::: REUTERS
MANAMA • In an election campaign tent on a patch of dusty wasteland, Shi’ite Bahraini Nader Al Hamad points to the run-down homes nearby; each family has experienced exile, prison, death or unemployment for being Shi’ite, he says.
Hamad is running the election campaign of his wife, Ameena Abbas, a candidate in the Gulf island’s November 25 municipal and parliamentary elections. Shi’ites, the majority in the Sunni-ruled kingdom, boycotted the previous poll in 2002.
Sectarian tensions are higher this time because of what many Shi’ites say is the mass naturalisation of Sunni foreigners, and also because of a recent report by a former government adviser, dubbed the Bandergate report, alleging election irregularities.
“Naturalisation, has had a huge effect. We are 100 percent certain this will bias the elections,” Abbas said.
He also noted: “The Bandergate report has changed things.”
Bahrain deported Salah Al Bander, the author of the report, in September, accusing him of trying to foment civil strife. The government says relatively few people have been naturalised, and Shi’ites are well represented among those given citizenship.
Shi’ites boycotted historic polls in 2002 to protest against the introduction of an unelected chamber of parliament, but this yielded little result. Their demands for more power have in the past led to arrests, deportation and clashes with police.
Since coming to power in 1999, King H H Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has introduced reforms, including pardoning political prisoners and exiles, in US-allied Bahrain, the Gulf’s banking hub.
“There’s a 100 per cent increase in sectarianism now. Shi’ites have no jobs, no money or hope. You’ll find that most unemployed are Shi’ite,” said Shi’ite Abdullah Asim, 65.
Despite the sectarian divide, Shi’ites and most Sunnis are united in voter apathy. Most doubt polls will change the status quo, and accuse candidates of only chasing power and money.
Asim, who sat with friends in a run-down Shi’ite area, said he was voting only because Shi’ite preachers were urging Shi’ites to vote.
“If a religious man tells us, we’d vote for ants,” he said.
Voter apathy was stronger in the Sunni area of Gudaibiya, in contrast with the forest of election billboards there. A young group at a roadside cafe smoking water pipes had little good to say about Bahraini democracy.
“There’s not going to be any change. They (politicians) don’t do anything now and they won’t do anything in future. Why should we vote to put them in power?” Mohammed Fakhro said.
Many Bahrainis point to the state-appointed chamber of parliament as an obstacle to real change, and the fact that all legislation must be approved by the king.
