UN must listen to true Bahrainis’

UN must listen to true Bahrainis’
20 March, 2012 – Daily ribune

United Nations officials must listen to ordinary residents in Bahrain instead of yielding to those who have subversive agendas, Akhbar Al Khaleej Editor-in-Chief Anwar Abdulrahman said.

He was part of a delegation which went to Geneva to expose the reality of the Bahraini situation. They had explained how it was unfair that UN delegations visiting Bahrain only met with the
opposition.

It is time they meet residents of the Bahraini society, which reaches today to 1.2 million, out of which a majority comes from different countries, Mr. Abdulrahman explained, addressing a press conference yesterday at the Akhbar Al Khaleej
premises.

“We asked them to meet those residents who are educated and civilised. They also have an opinion.

“Additionally, we asked them to meet Bahrainis who are involved in politics, businessmen, and even students so that they can give them a clearer picture,” he said. Other members of the delegation included Shura Council member Sameera Rajab, activists Fatima Salahuddein, Mohammed Al Najim, Marwa Al Obaidly and lawyer Nabeel Saeed.

Ms Salahuddein, meanwhile, called for Bahrainis to have a clear enough voice in airing their opinions. There’s so much of misrepresentation “because there’s a constant presence of the Opposition in the UN.”

“We as a civil community, have to do the same. Our voice should also be heard like theirs. The crisis which took place has only one voice and it is against Bahrain,” she said.

Additionally, Ms. Al Obaidly said the Bahraini youth should be prepared to face the opposition and give a truthful account of the reality. They also need to involve themselves in the political scene and receive training to speak out, according to Mr. Al Najim.

Baseless accusations
The Bahraini delegation had also participated in a forum, organised by an Islamic Iranian society based in London.

Mr. Abdulrahman recounted the insults and mistreatment they had to endure during the course of the forum. “We were surprised that this society is part of the Iranian Al Abrar Association and headed by Iranian Masoud Shad Jarah,” he said.

Moreover, Saeed Al Shahabi and former MPs Matar Matar and Ali Al Aswad also participated. They were further surprised with the participation of Abdulhameed Dashti, who is a non-Bahraini but from Kuwait.

Mr. Al Shahabi and the former MPs had made accusations, which according to Mr. Abdulrahman, were too shameful to be repeated.
“I said that this is a place of discussion and not accusation. I told them that they were at one point MPs and that it was their duty during unrest to stand and explain to people their stance.

“But instead, they had taken to the streets after resigning. This, in any democratic country, is considered treason because they vowed to be loyal to the King and country. Unfortunately with this crisis they let go of all their vows,” he said.

He said the moderator was also trying to silence him while he was responding to the allegations. “Mr. Dashti then began swearing and we knew that we had no role to stay any longer,” he added.
“Our delegation included six people representing Bahrain neither for its government, nor for a certain party but as normal citizens,” Mr Abdulrahman said.

However, Mr. Dashti further insulted them when they were about to leave by telling them to go get their money in return for the service.

“Unfortunately, they are not ashamed of themselves because the Iranian Abrar Association pays for their accommodation, travel, food, and their monthly salaries,” he said.

Ms Rajab, meanwhile, said that it wasn’t the first time they went on a mission like this and that they finance their own travels or get support from the private sector. “The opposition always tries to slander any movement made against them and their opinions,” she said.

Representatives from Al Wefaq, Bahrain Freedom and Haq Movement were also found in the forum, Ms Rajab added.

She called out the opposition for stooping to abusive language whenever the situation is not in their favour. They also uploaded false and distorted reports on their websites, she said.

Representing truth
Mr. Saeed said that they were not representing any government party when they went to Geneva. “We all have demands… we have problems in Bahrain and we have matters that we want to rectify.” …source