Manama: Bahrain's National Dialogue, a bold bid to resolve social, political and religious differences dividing the kingdom, got under way on Tuesday.
Amid tight security, more then 300 delegates met to try and find a way forward after months of protests fuelled by political and sectarian divisions paralysed the kingdom.
Addressing a press briefing, Eisa Abdul Rahman, National Dialogue spokesman, said: "All the participants are actively debating the issues and talks are taking place in a very positive atmosphere."
Time distribution
Abdul Rahman said participants had agreed on some processes relating to how each session would run to guarantee a fair distribution of time.
Participants in the workshop on political societies — there are 18 represented at the National Dialogue — agreed to allow speakers five minutes, with those in other workshops agreeing to three minutes.
"One of the sessions ... deals with the family and a discussion of a law on family status in Bahrain," he said.
The National Dialogue is a government-sponsored reform initiative to discuss the future of the kingdom and build consensus.
"At the end of the day this isn't about Shiite and Sunni, it's about Bahrain," one delegate from the business community told Gulf News as he entered the Eisa Cultural Centre. "It's about Bahrain and the rule of law. But law needs to be shaped by the people it represents and this National Dialogue, Inshallah, is the perfect forum to discuss our governance processes."
The sessions began with discussions on political societies, the reality of competitiveness in Bahrain's economy and ways to boost it; how to improve women and childrens' rights; and youth affairs.
The talks being held behind closed doors continue tomorrow and will be held three times a week.
