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MANAMA (New Agencies) - United States President Bill Clinton on Sunday lauded last week's appointments of four women and a number of minorities to Bahrain's consultative council. Last December, Bahrain's emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Issa al-Khalifa, announced that municipal elections would soon be held in Bahrain, and women would be given the right to vote. Clinton's message was delivered to Sheikh Hamad by U.S. ambassador to Manama, Johnny Young, according to the official GNA news agency. Clinton described the "appointment to the consultative council of members from all categories of society as a positive step in boosting democracy." He also gave "the full support of the United States to this initiative, which reflects the progressive approach adopted by the emir to bring Bahrain more prosperity at all levels," reported the GNA news agency. On September 27th, Bahrain's government appointed a Jew, four women, including a Christian, and a businessman of Indian origin to the council, marking the first time females or non-Muslims have become members since the body was created in 1992. The six were among 19 new appointees on the 40-strong Majlis al-Shura, whose members are selected by the prime minister, Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman al-Khalifa. "Council representatives have been chosen from every category of society who will contribute to the enrichment of the democratic process and in political, administrative and economic decisions," said Bahrain's Information Minister Mohammad Ibrahim al-Mutawa. Bahraini Jew Dawood Ibrahim Nonoo, whose family emigrated from Iraq a century ago, is chairman of Bahrain Financing, a money-exchange company. In September 1999, Sheikh Hamad hailed "the efforts by the Nonoo family over several decades to consolidate the role of Bahrain in the banking sector." The businessman told the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat that Bahrain has 10 Jewish families, comprising 34 people. Alice Samaan, a Christian who is also of Iraqi origin, was also appointed to the council. Samaan, who has worked for the Bahraini government and the United Nations in Manama, currently works for the state's television. Several different Christian denominations including Roman Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox Christians, Copts, Maronites and Armenians are allowed to practice in Bahraini churches, which mainly cater to expatriates. Bahrain has a population of around 650,000, of whom 60% are Bahraini nationals. The number of Christians is estimated at 45,000. Neighboring Saudi Arabia strictly forbids the practice of any religion other than Islam in its territory. The three other female appointees are: Bahiya Jawad Al-Jishi, a youth and sports ministry official; Mona Rashid al-Zayani, educated at South California University; and Mariyam Azbi al-Jalahima, a doctor at the health ministry. A Bahraini of Indian origin, businessman Mohammad Dadabhai, was also among the new members of the Shura council. His grandfather settled in the island state in 1935. The Dadabhai family, which made its fortune in Bahrain, currently heads a group of businesses that includes real estate and tourism, and employs 1,000 people. The new members of the council will swear allegiance on September 30th in front of the emir, before its first session scheduled for October 3rd. Bahrain's elected parliament was dissolved in 1975 for "obstructing" the government's work. The mainly Shiite Muslim opposition has campaigned for it to be restored, sparking unrest that cost at least 38 lives between 1994 and 1999. |
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