Bahrain protests

system · March 17, 2011, 5:50pm

Re: Bahrain protests

Aww, poor baby doesn't get my positions. Well that's what happens when you are retarded. Not my problem.

ravage · March 17, 2011, 6:26pm

Re: Bahrain protests

The sectarian framing in Bahrain is a deliberate regime strategy, not an obvious “reality.” The Bahraini protest movement, which emerged out of years of online and offline activism and campaigns, explicitly rejected sectarianism and sought to emphasize instead calls for democratic reform and national unity. While a majority of the protestors were Shi’a, like the population of the Kingdom itself, they insisted firmly that they represented the discontent of both Sunnis and Shi’ites, and framed the events as part of the Arab uprisings seen from Tunisia to Libya. Their slogans were about democracy and human rights, not Shi’a particularism, and there is virtually no evidence to support the oft-repeated claim that their efforts were inspired or led by Iran.

The Bahraini regime responded not only with violent force, but also by encouraging a nasty sectarianism in order to divide the popular movement and to build domestic and regional support for a crackdown. Anti-Shi’a vituperation spread through the Bahraini public arena, including both broadcast media and increasingly divided social media networks. This sectarian framing also spread through the Arab media, particularly Saudi outlets. The sectarian frame resonated with the narratives laid in the dark days of the mid-2000s, when scenes of Iraqi civil war and Hezbollah’s rise in Lebanon filled Arab television screens, pro-U.S. Arab leaders spread fears of a “Shi’a Crescent”, and the Saudis encouraged anti-Shi’ism in order to build support for confronting Iranian influence.

Now, the struggle for democracy and human rights in Bahrain seems to have been fully consumed by this cynical sectarian framing, and the regional Saudi-Iranian cold war which had been largely left behind by the Arab uprisings has suddenly returned to center stage. The sending of Saudi and GCC security forces to Bahrain follows on similar political campaigns, while the regime’s positions and sectarian framing have been backed across the Gulf media – including al-Jazeera Arabic, which has barely covered Bahrain even as it has focused heavily on Libya, Egypt, and Yemen. Meanwhile, leading Shi’a political figures across the region, from Hassan Nasrallah to Ali Sistani, are rushing to the defense of the protestors. Both have the effect of reinforcing the sectarian frame and distracting from the calls for democratic change.

http://lynch.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2011/03/16/bahrain_brings_back_the_sectarianism

Lex_Luthor · March 18, 2011, 7:02pm

Re: Bahrain protests

Bangladeshis complain of Bahrain rally ‘coercion’

gosensgo · March 18, 2011, 8:29pm

Re: Bahrain protests

The Bahraini government had the pearl monument destroyed in a futile attempt to discourage the protestors. These despots put way too much emphasis on physical symbolism, destroying the pearl monument will do nothing to destroy the protestors' resolve.

Pathan_Bhai · March 18, 2011, 10:37pm

Re: Bahrain protests

^Insha Allah. Here is some Bahraini students protesting in front of the Saudi consulate in New Zealand. There are thousands such protests taking place all over the world in solidarity with the oppressed Bahrain people.

ramesha · March 21, 2011, 6:00pm

Re: Bahrain protests

Bahraini minister confronted by the media. Runs away.
http://www.twitvid.com/HFNC7

gosensgo · March 24, 2011, 5:20pm

Re: Bahrain protests

Bahrain state TV making fake videos and airing them to discredit and vilify the protestors

ramesha · March 25, 2011, 2:17am

Re: Bahrain protests

Ali Salman, Bahrain’s opposition leader, address:

ramesha · March 25, 2011, 2:20am

Re: Bahrain protests

Doppleganger · March 27, 2011, 5:23pm

Re: Bahrain protests

I have seen iranian flags and ayatollah influence and I know some of our pakistanis mainly on sectarian basis as well as an anti-american platform are infatuated with them, but I certainly hope bahrainis keep their distance from the iranian pathogens for their own sake.

firenze · March 27, 2011, 6:42pm

Re: Bahrain protests

^ Pakistani's are being targeted because majority of 80000+ Pakistani's are in security services and also securing major national security assets.

Doppleganger · March 27, 2011, 7:21pm

Re: Bahrain protests

Well the same is happening to africans in libya who are considered as mercenaries for qaddafi since he has hired many from the down south. I believe Pakistanis were attacked in eastern rebel cities (by an oil refinery) but they successfully fought the attackers back as their bosses had fled. Immigrants / guest workers are the first to be attacked in a time of crisis or opportunity: Look at how the quota system was established in Pakistan.

Dr.LuLworth · March 29, 2011, 2:51am

Re: Bahrain protests

cmon man. You seem to be the only one that is being nonsensical, dost.

Do you HONESTLY believe that none of this is real? You honestly feel that all of this is manufactured by Iran? and that the media sources, all except the Gulf news are purposely aiding the Shia cause, and secretly helping iran?

This is getting ridiculous. The Bahraini shia folks are oppressed, and the monarchy is extremely biased and leans only towards Sunni folk. If you deny this, then you are disillusioned man. I'm just extremely disappointed in seeing folks reasoning with your rationale (or lack of).

Doppleganger · March 29, 2011, 4:42am

Re: Bahrain protests

Look, I didn't say it was manufactured but I am against incorporation of iranian shiite theocracy in it.

Iran is a fundamentalist shiite fascist regime that tries to "export" its revolution, and the reason that it hasn't been as successful in Pakistan or rest of the islamic world is that shiites aren't in the majority. I know many pakis disagree and have a romantic view of Iran, so lets leave it at that.

Nussairee · March 29, 2011, 5:19am

Re: Bahrain protests

Dopple, u have most likely seen somebody holding a pic of a Bahraini ayatullah and mistook it for Iranian one.........btw it is upto the Bahrainis to decide the future of their country.........whether they choose to keep playing puppy pet to the imperialists or decide to be ruled by chickens from Buri is their own choice..........I have read your posts and laughed b/c it seems that u are against fascism of ur choice only......... convenient I must say.......

Doppleganger · March 29, 2011, 12:41pm

Re: Bahrain protests

And what is the fascism of my choice?

ramesha · March 30, 2011, 5:43am

Re: Bahrain protests

gora · March 31, 2011, 6:40pm

Re: Bahrain protests

Why are Pakistanis so quick to denounce Raymond Davis as a mercenary yet have no problem sending thousands of Pakistani mercenaries to do the same thing, albeit at a much larger scale in Bahrain?

gora · March 31, 2011, 6:41pm

Re: Bahrain protests

How can Pakistanis have a romantic view of Iran, while wanting a Taliban to return in Afghanistan?

Dr.LuLworth · April 3, 2011, 7:02pm

Re: Bahrain protests

well dr. gora sir, because the shia, like raymond davis, aren't part of the ummat. shariat dictates its ok to wage war against the kaafir, especially if they call them selves muslim and aren't sunni. it's pretty simple really.