Bahrain: Pro-Government Activists are Blogging too

Demands for change in Bahrain and recent incidents of violence against those demanding reform is being chronicled by number of bloggers. They present struggle within the country and also how external forces are influencing events. Adding another dimension to the discussion, pro-government and pro-establishment bloggers are also making their side heard online.

Suhail Algosaibi, an author and fitness professional, is a self confessed “fan” of  the Bahraini crown prince and praises his efforts to resolve ongoing crisis in the country,

“I applaud your efforts in trying to bring a resolution to the February 14th crisis, which has left a deep wound in our society.  Despite the opposition’s arrogance, you’ve persisted in trying to bring a win-win resolution to the crisis.  God bless you.  In the end they’ve shown their true colours, and no one can fault you for your efforts.”

Algosaibi has also blogged about Bahrain's opposition loosing credibility.

Peace Bahrain recently published documents leaked by WikiLeaks, which accuses prominent human rights activists in the country of being paid by Iran.They have also posted a video, claiming that Nabeel Rajab of Bahrain Center for Human Rights, is discriminatory against the expatriate community in Bahrain.

Bahrain Independent has also published several articles questioning credibility of prominent activists, including Abdulhadi Al Khawaja, who is currently under arrest.

“Following his exile due to his contribution in the failed coup and throughout the 1980s, Al Khawaja played a leading role in the IFLB (Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain) cell in Iran and was even involved in military aspects of the organization. He was later granted asylum in the Denmark, in addition to being granted a Danish passport.  In the mid-90s he established the Bahrain Human Rights Organization in Denmark, the predecessor to the BCHR, and succeeded to a certain extend in penetrating and infiltrating a number of other legitimate international human rights organizations, in an attempt to grant his (and by default the IFLB’s) activities a more Euro-centric appeal and a legitimate cover.”

In observing pro-government and pro-establishment blogs, there appears to be a pattern of operation. They invariably get down to questioning credibility of the opposition activists and those demanding reform. Most commonly used line is, that the person is aligned to Iran or the West, or  person demanding change is doing so for personal benefit. This begs a question, isn't there  a better way to debate an issue, without accusing the other side of being a foreign sell out?

5 comments

  • Bahrain has been one of the few countries where bloggers and tweeters position on recent protests have been predominately pro-government. I agree, its extremely interesting. Especially the latest article published by the “Bahrain Independent” site, which makes some great insights into Iran’s questionable motives for intervention. I would say this goes far beyond simply “accusing the other side of being a foreign sell out” as you put it.

  • The pro-government bloggers might also have a point. With what is happening in the Middle East nowadays, it is not impossible that a group from another country is behind the chaos. And people who have hidden interests in Bahrain might have caused the stir.Let’s just be open to these possibilities.

  • Yes, there are many other others to debate an issue. Sadly, its hard to deny or ignore Foreign involvement. Whwn go out protesting carrying Hizb Allah flags, theres nothing left to debate really.

  • Shaima

    Bhumika, many of the demands for reform that the opposition made were identical to the demands made by those labelled as pro-government supporters. Those demands were (and still are) very reasonable and credible.

    The difference between the two is the way they went about achieving those reforms.

    I think the credibility those bloggers are questioning is that of the oppositions’ leadership. They failed their supporters by refusing to enter a national dialogue and by setting pre-condition after pre-condition in hopes of stalling the beginning of a real resolution while simultaneously urging their followers to engage in acts of intimidation that would’ve ultimately lead to escalation.

    It does make people question what those leaders’ goals really were–especially since some were involved in a failed Iran-backed coup attempt in 1981 and acts of violence throughout the ’90’s.

    It is hard to dismiss or ignore the possibilities of Iranian involvement as a result of the history of Bahrain-Iran relations and the history of some of Bahrain’s opposition leaders.

    That said, Bahrain does have some serious internal issues that need resolving.No amount of finger pointing from any side can cover up that fact.We should be focusing our energies on how to move forward instead of playing the blame game.

    PS

    Suhail has emerged as one of the most moderate voices in Bahrain and for those that aren’t familiar with his writing– his point of view is well worth listening to.

  • […] Both Abdulhadi Alkhwaja and Nabeel Rajab have been suspected of involvement with the Shiite Islamist Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain. […]

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