Higher Pay for Continued Incompetence...Only in Bahrain!

In todays GDN we find what can only be a late April Fool's joke being played out to the masses...MP's might possibly be getting yet ANOTHER pay rise!!!

Shock!!! Horror!!! Didnt see that one coming...did you?

http://gulf-daily-news.com/NewsDetails.aspx?storyid=250813

These MP's have been one chucklefest after another...and I have yet to open a newspaper and not want to slap my forehead in complete and utter dismay at yet another "law" these bafoons are trying to pass off on the masses.

Everything from banning pork and alcohol, mannequins, preventing bachelors from hanging underwear in view of any passerbys and also wanting to corral them all up in little towns etc so they dont harrass the locals (huh)...wanting to force same sex doctors on us...not to mention keeping a keen lookout for the gays that are trying to sneak in the country (how come lesbians are not treated with a similar amount of discrimination)...among other things. It seems the MP's became our religious leaders almost overnight...who appointed them the moral lawmakers of society?

Are there any restrictions on what this Court of Jesters can pass to build up their own personal fortunes? Is anyone paying attention to this craziness? And more importanly...

How can I become an MP ????

The only thing these MP's have manged to do...is give future MP's the green light and knowledge that they will soon have the same opportunity to make themselves rich while making the masses even more miserable then we already are...nice!!

The Injustice of Telling the Truth

Some of you may remember my post about my friend, Maryam alSherooqi, who is facing up to 7 years in jail for an article she wrote in one of our local papers, Al Wasat, concerning discrimination in Bahrains Civil Department. That post is here http://coolred38.blogspot.com/2009/02/does-telling-truth-require-apology.html

She has been to court several times and so far nothing has been decided...good news or bad Im not sure.

Anyhow, I couldnt help but feel even more pissed off about her whole case while I was perusing yesterdays other local paper, the Gulf Daily News. I came across a little snippet of news that is not shown on the website so I cant link to it...but anyone can check yesterdays paper if they want to read it.

It appears that while lecturing a college class on history etc last year, an American teacher "blasphemied" the Prophet by attempting to draw his likeness on the chalkboard. Apparently one of her Bahraini female students took exception to this and reported her to the proper authorities. I remember hearing about this teacher sometime last year but didnt really look into it. A lot of the time they just peter out and nothing ever comes of it.

The little snippet of news in the paper happened to mention that this teacher was found guilty and was fined and jailed for 6 months...and then will be deported.

So let me get this straight...."blasphemy" the Prophet you get 6 months in jail and a fine plus deportation. "Blasphemy" Bahrains Civil Department you get harassed by govt officials...threatened with loss of job...your salary is with held with no explanation given...your reputation is shredded by under the table sabotage and innuendo...and your faced with 7 years of jail in a case in which you have not broken any laws, called anyone a liar. or lied in general?

Now I dont believe the teacher who supposedly disrespected the Prophet deserved any punishment merely for drawing a sketch of him on a chalkboard for whatever reason...a simple word of caution by that female student...or any other student should have sufficed....but NOOOO Muslims have to be extreme when it comes to religion...but I also dont get the chasm of injustice being clearly shown here. Are we to assume the Civil Department and those who head it are on a higher footing and deserve more respect etc than the Prophet? Are we to assume that the punishment meted out to individuals who "cause trouble" to the Civil Department and those who head it should be enforced to the fullest extent of the law...but those that blasphemy the Prophet are dealt with leniently?

Should we assume that Bahrain authorities are quite happy to sit by and let a Bahraini Muslim woman, who had a solid reputation, deep respect from her community, and clearly has not broken any law what so ever.. be sent to jail merely for pointing out discrimination at the Civil Department...thus destroying her family life, her career, and her future prospects all because the head of the Civil Department didnt like something he read...but knows to be true?

One question. The MP's of Bahrain have made a mockery of Bahrains reputation as a tolerant and welcoming country. People are talking about leaving Bahrain because it no longer is the quiet oasis in the gulf it was known as before. How many more people will leave, Bahrainis included, once its made clear that jail is awaiting anyone that dares say a word against Ministry heads or anyone else that has a position of power?

I realize jail has always awaited those people who dared speak out...but at least it was hidden just a little bit better before...now theres not even a semblance of attempt at keeping this injustice a secret.

How nice for Bahrain and all its inhabitants.

I hope justice will be served for Maryam al Sherooqi...telling the truth is incumbent upon all of us...even if its against ourselves and our families...last I heard Bahrain considered itself a Muslim country....I guess that only applies in regards to the fact that we have mosques and women wear abayas and hijab. Sweet!!

Banning pork and alcohol...whats the world coming too?

The esteemed MP's of Bahrain have been working over time lately in coming up with more and more reasons for the general public to rue the day they elected them in the first place. They being other Bahrainis of course. While we expats or non Bahrain residents must suffer the same as Bahrainis (in our suffering we are side by side) we are apparently not allowed to complain and are given the freedom to "go home if we dont like it". (just check any local papers letters page for this debate raging on)

Besides trying to ban mannequins from store front windows, bachelors from living among civilized folk, said bachelors from hanging their laundry in plain sight and disturbing the delicate sensibilities of the viewing public and forbidding all homosexuals from even attempting to get past customs at the airport...recent trends have suggested our MP's have taken an even more sinister religious bent on their attempts to bring Bahrain back into the fold of an Islamic community...alcohol and pork are next on the list to be banned...now is the time to do some serious deep thinking.

Bahrainis are rather split on this proposed ban...some believe its a right step and good for the moral being of Bahrain...others think its taking us back into bygone centuries in which camels were the preferred mode of transportation and tent life was the rage....us expats and non Bahrain residents have opinions too...but as stated before...ours doesnt count.

Now heres a thought to any Bahraini that believes banning alcohol and pork are good things...what happens after that? Banning western attire as unIslamic...how about tearing down churches etc as no other religion can be practiced openly in an Islamic country? Or how about really getting down and dirty and ban women from driving and girls from receiving an education and enforcing strict veiling etc as that can lead to immoral behavior...which is unIslamic?(we shall pretend for a moment that all that is culture masquerading as Islam...but we are talking reality here right)

It may all sound ridiculous but really...is it? It sounds like a slippery slope to me...allow MP's, who btw are not hired as religious police for Bahrain but merely to lead us into a prosperous and productive future, to make one law or ban one thing because its deemed unIslamic...then where is the line drawn...who gets to decide what gets banned next...well the MP's of course...and what happens when they start pulling things out of their ass trying to emulate other Middle Eastern countries in an attempt to get back to the basics of Islam? Then will Bahrainis be so comfortable with these recent actions?

Yes alcohol is generally bad for us and we humans can very well live without it...and pork is just another meat product and chicken or beef will do in a pinch for any meal plan a non Muslim might wish to prepare...but really...banning those products does not an Islamic country make. If Islam is supposedly built on peace and tolerance...and the whole "there is no compulsion in religion" thing...and we all know that when something is banned it just gets shoved under ground and a whole new set of immoral behaviors takes root...then really...where is the benefit to the public?

Muslims consider it haram or forbidden to drink alcohol..so great...dont drink alcohol (maybe MP's should enforce alcohol serving establishments to put up those little signs similar to the ones in grocery stores that have a pork section-no Muslims past this point...or something like that just so a misguided Muslim doesnt wander in my accident...hmmm?) and Muslims consider pork a dietary no no...and so dont consume that either...so great...dont eat it (btw Im curious as to why some Muslims will drink alcohol even knowing they shouldnt but I have yet to come across a Muslim that admits to eating pork...considering it the ULTIMATE sin next to shirk/unbelief...another hmmm?).

What I mean is what is the point of having choice...Islam is all about choice...the choice to follow its ideology or not. To behave according to Islamic standards or dont...but the rest of the community are under no such obligations to follow your dietary habits etc...and shouldnt be forced to. I mean, seriously, it all just sounds so hypocritical from a layman/womans point of view. Let me put it this way...

MP's want to bring Bahrain back in to the so called Islamic fold...so they start with ridiculous things like mannequins and laundry...jump on over to gays and bachelors...and currently are taking aim at alcohol and pork...here is my question to any and all MP's...why did you choose to start in those places...with those topics and issues? Why not start with the unfair treatment of women in the Sharia courts...justice for Muslim women (all women really) is a deeply entrenched practice Prophet Mohammed taught his men and sanctioned by God...treating women with respect, giving them their God sanctioned rights and ensuring them a safe and accommodating environment in which to obtain a divorce and or keep their children in their lives seems a hell of alot more important then worrying about nonMuslims (ahem) drinking and eating forbidden items...just thinking out loud here.

Or how about ban the whole "sponsorship" system...oh I forgot...that doesnt exist. Cant ban something that doesnt actually exist...on paper...but does in practice...openly and barbarically and without any due respect towards Islam and moral principles. Foreign labour in Bahrain are treated like slaves...are paid slave wages (if at all) and are considered "runaways" and "escapees" if they, oh I dont know, get fed up with this barbaric treatment and decide to take their labour elsewhere. Why dont our esteemed MP's take a stab at banning inhumane treatment towards housemaids and labourers...seems like a truly worthwhile Islamic ideal to go after...still thinking out loud here.

And while they are at it...why not ban the security forces and govt from throwing those in jail that have the balls to speak up about all these issues and get the sheep (I mean public) all antagonized and worked up? Freedom of speech is a very Islamic ideal..yes? Why not spend some time earning your extravagant salaries on a subject like that? If you dont protect the right to freedom of speech from now...it might be your own right to freedom of speech you will sorely miss some day...Im just saying.

Now its very true...if us nonBahrainis dont like these "new and improved" living conditions being offered up to the public...we can pack our bags and hightail it out of here on a British Airways flight that does serve alcohol etc and shake the dust from our immoral western boot heels...but heres the really thought provoking thing about your request that "if we dont like it we can just leave"...we can leave...but what about you?

One day when and if Bahrain becomes another little Iran (a little tussle going on with Iran claiming ownership and all) or even just a poor step daughter to Saudi (never really belongs to the original family and all) just what will Bahrainis do then...pack their bags and get the hell out of dodge on a non alcohol serving Gulf Air flight and come live in the immoral decadent west where alcohol, pork, freedom of speech and free will...have not been banned...and people still manage to live a good and honest life.

If you dont stop it from now..you only have yourselves to blame.

Beyond Hysterical

I make it a habit to not jump to conclusions about a person before I have met them....and I generally can make up my mind within a relatively short amount of time in their presence whether this is a person I want to continue knowing or not. Most people are at their best behavoir when you first meet....so if their "best" behavoir comes off as racist....ignorant....rude....or just plain unintelligent...then I graciously give my salams and go on my way...without doing the usual thing...like make plans for future meet ups etc. My friends find this irritating...but I figure life is too short to spend it in the company of people you really just dont like or cant tolerate....better for them and definitely better for me.

However, people in the spot lite....people in govt jobs etc are there for the whole world to see...and judge...based pretty much on the comments they make in an "official capacity"....I figure they cant say much of anything without some ok from the "higher ups"...whoever they may be...otherwise they make what is commonly referred to as occupational or political suicide...this is when you will see your once former comrads and fellow backslappers jump ship and pretend they never really liked you anyways. Your on your own baby.

Now the MP's of Bahrain are generally a laugh a minute...the shit they come up with is just to hilarious for words sometimes...I can just picture all the wives of these MP's(poor them) sitting at home trying not to cringe everytime a friend calls up and says...."your husband really came up with that idea"...giggles galore. I guess you could excuse them just a bit for their ignorance as they are still fairly new at the whole 'serve the people" process and so we can give them just enough rope to catch them when they fall...or should I say hang themselves with...lol....but...

When your a Minister of some office or another...I cant imagine you attained that spot because you are stupid or empty headed...there must be something taking up the space between your ears....right?...hmmm Im starting to wonder.

Todays GDN has the article about ...

A NATIONWIDE crackdown on homosexuals could be launched in Bahrain, including tougher immigration checks to stop foreign gays entering the country. It would include a study to determine how widespread homosexuality is in Bahrain.

Ok...sounds somewhat paranoid but what they hey...its not my country...I dont make the rules or laws(God help us though against the ones that do)...however this particular comment by committee secretary Jalal Fairooz MP's of the Menbar bloc tickled my funny bone in referring to catching the gays at the airport....

However, he said many homosexuals were slipping through the net because the ministry was having problems determining if they were gay or not.

What immediately came to mind was a group of potential gays being lined up against the wall at the airport....and a naked guy paraded around in front of them....whoever "reacted" was automatically deported....hysterical....Im chuckling just thinking about it....its a cheap and effective alternative to anything Im sure Mr Jalal can come up with...which would proabably involve lots of money and maybe even some body cavity probing....hee hee.

However...lets not leave out the Ministry of Education who are mentioned in this article as well....the comment seems to be irrelevant to the actual subject of gays coming into the country for illicit activities...but its printed in the paper so I am free to comment on it....

He said the study was being carried out despite the fact that the Education Ministry claims there are no homosexuals in schools.

By Education Ministry I assume he means Dr. Majid Al Nuaimi the current Minister? Now, I find that fact that Dr Nuaimi at some point in the past made the claim that there are no homosexuals in schools was referring to the govt schools of course....I would seriously like to know how our esteemed Dr came to that conclusion...did he personally ask all members of the student bodies of all govt schools....several thousand I believe? Did he assume that just because most of these students are considered Muslims so would naturally never engage in the homosexual lifestyle ...or did he assume that homosexuality is not an issue that Bahrainis themselves have a problem with...either with the young or the older group? In other words...there are no gay Bahrainis period...sounds like Ive heard that statement before somewhere...does Iran ring a bell to anyone?

Now heres my problem with that.... other than the obvious generalization....its just a rediculous statement to make by a man in his official position...just makes him look stupid. If this were America and he made that type of statement...boy would he be leaving work with his head beneath his coat to avoid all the paparazzi camera flashes...more giggles.

Lets do the math shall we....several thousand students divided into girls only and boys only schools.....times the number of times one of these said students hits puberty and realizes the capacity to be attracted to and "fall in love" extends beyond regular family members...you know that feeling you get when you realize you are capable of loving(liking) someone not directly related to you....its heady and powerful feeling and usually knocks you off your socks....but here's the kicker...once you come to this realization you take a look around you and what do you see....lots of other girls just like you...or other boys...so what are the chances that the first person you "fall in love with" is another girl or another boy? Does that make you a homosexual...who knows...hitting puberty and discovering you have a sexual identity are not always easy times for teens(dont we all know it)....who are still figuring themselves out as individuals...much less as one of a possible pair....but we cannot claim they are gay just because they are attracted to the same sex...they really have no choice in the matter....if your only choice of potential mates(and our inate nature to procreate means we are always on the lookout for potential partners) are members of the same gender...then we really cant blame them for engaging in homosexual behavoir when given the chance....neither can we claim that it does not exist...that is just beyond hysterical.

Many teens will experiment with gay and straight behavoir....until they figure themselves out...just because you are Arab/Muslims doesnt mean it cant happen to you...or your youth. It happens...ask any staff member of any govt school(of which my best friend is a guidance councellor at the infamous Estakalal Girls School in Muharraq...boy does she have some stories to tell)...engaging in gay behavoir at some point does not mean you are gay...unless you realize that you in fact are...it just means your curious....you want to know...experiment....find your identity in the great scheme of things....is it halal or haram behavoir? I will let others decide that....does it happen...yes it does...of course it does....hands down it does....so for the good Dr to make such a rediculous statement such as that...just makes him look like a homophobe...which I gather most Muslims are....very sad for you....some of the nicest people I know are gay.

ive nevr understood this desire to know what people are doing in the privacy of their bedrooms...yes of course adultery is forbidden and against the law...but unless you actually catch them at it red handed so to speak...what can you do? Same goes for homosexual behavoir...forbidden...against the law...but you cant prevent it from happening..you can only prosecute if you catch them red handed...thats the Sharia Law anyhow...4 eye witnesses to the deed and all.....so to just assume people are engaging in this type of behavoir is not good enough...to deport undesirables because they are gay....as if being gay is a contagious disease and needs to be quarantined before eveyones affected by it...this is just disgusting....and inhumane. As far as I know gay people generally just have sex with other gay people...so if your straight...you dont have much to worry about. They wont hit on you...they wont infect you with their cooties...they wont TURN you for heavens sake!!! I know thats what your really afraid of oh esteemed MP's and Ministers...gay isnt catching....sooner you realize that the sooner you might just let people be....if these homosexuals are coming to Bahrain to engage in illicit activity....I dare say that means there is a market for it here...and we all know that market includes Bahrainis themselves....just a thought.