Bahrain MP alleges discrimination against Shiites

Manama: Remarks about the alleged existence of sectarian discrimination have sparked furore in Bahrain's lower house of the bicameral parliament.

Addressing his peers, MP Jalal Fairooz, representing Al Wefaq, the largest parliamentary bloc, on Tuesday claimed there was discrimination in the election constituencies and between Shiite and Sunni areas in Bahrain. The lawmaker, a Shiite, said that there was also discrimination in the recruitment in the security forces.

However, he was vociferously interrupted by MPs who accused him of stoking sectarianism and of deviating off the focus of the debate by adopting a different agenda that promotes only one sect.

"We are here to discuss how we respond to the address of King Hamad to the parliament and anyone who abuses the session should be asked to leave the podium," MP Abdullah Al Dossari said.

"We regret that some lawmakers present views from a certain angle. As lawmakers, we should protect and promote the rights of all Bahrainis, whether they are Sunnis or Shiites," Abdul Halim Murad said.

Parliament was suspended for weeks last year in the aftermath of shouting matches between MPs from Al Wefaq and lawmakers from Al Asala, the Islamic Menbar and the Future, the three Sunni blocs in the 40-seat parliament.

Al Wefaq has regularly charged that the government was engaged in a policy of naturalizing non-Bahrainis to help tilt the demographic balance in its favour. However, the government has repeatedly rejected the charges, explaining that giving the citizenship to deserving applicants was within the confines of the law.

The lower house has been often divided alongside sectarian lines and King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa once had to interfere to calm down fiery tempers that threatened to compound problems and threaten social peace.