Gulf | Bahrain
Saddam's death intensifies Bahraini political divisions
A political association is at the centre of a deep controversy after it set up a condolence house to commemorate the death of Saddam Hussain.
- By Habib Toumi, Bureau Chief
- Published: 00:00 January 11, 2007
Manama: A political association is at the centre of a deep controversy after it set up a condolence house to commemorate the death of Saddam Hussain.
Angry neighbours have asked the association to move to other premises in Bahrain.
A Shiite scholar residing in the Zinj and Bilad Al Qadim suburb of the capital Manama where the the Nationalist Democratic Rally Association (NDRA) is located said that it should transfer its headquarters to a location where it had supporters.
"They should look for another locality where they can exercise their freedom of expression. Just as they feel they are free to receive condolences on Saddam Hussain's death, our rejection of their presence in our neighbourhood is also part of our freedom of expression," the scholar who wished to remain anonymous said in a statement.
"We are still aching from the tragedies caused by Saddam to our people in Iraq and Kuwait, and we will resort to peaceful means to make the association change its address," he said.
But NDRA deputy secretary-general Hassan Al A'ali rejected the calls, saying that they were steeped in sectarian overtones.
"We resent the veiled threats and the sectarian insinuation that seeks to divide Bahrain alongside political and religious lines. We call upon the government to address such calls which come at the heels of the Molotov attack on our premises," Al A'ali said.
The NDRA which includes Baathist members was firebombed last week by hooded assailants as the leftist association was receiving condolences on the death of Saddam whose fate sharply divided Bahrain.
The attack was swiftly condemned by the country's political formations, including Al Wefaq, and rights activists who said that the act was alien to the kingdom's social values.
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