Al Wefaq Islamic Society has no right to impose its demands or dictate its conditions to the nation, according to IAA official statement.
In response to claims made at a press conference by the main political opposition party (Al Wefaq Islamic Society) held at their headquarters in Al Zinj in the Kingdom of Bahrain, an Information Affairs Authority (IAA) official dismissed Al Wefaq Islamic Society’s demands made during a Press conference. “Al Wefaq has no right to impose its demands or dictate its conditions to the nation,” the official categorically stated.
He asserted that the political reform and civil achievements that Bahrain has achieved in the past decade took the Western world hundreds of years to achieve, and reiterated that this is especially true in regards to raising the profile of women in the region and having them participate in the developmental process on the nation and the ongoing reform process initiated by his Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa. He stated that all Bahrainis support reform and the doors will remain open to that end, but the way in which Al Wefaq Islamic Society chose to demand reform was not embraced by the majority of Bahrainis or the major political powers.
“Al Wefaq Islamic Society does not match the reality on the ground, but rather imposes their demands on the larger community attempting to outline the future of Bahrain based on its own narrow vision and personal perceptions,” he said. He went on to say that Al Wefaq Islamic Society failed to take into consideration the views, perceptions, rights and interests of other parties and groups. He reiterated that freedom of expression has always been a right for the people of Bahrain but must be exercised in a peaceful manner within the laws of the constitution.
The IAA official dismissed Al-Wefaq Islamic Society’s calls for an independent judiciary by pointing out that just last week Bahrain’s Attorney General had ordered retrials for a group of medics that had been tried and found guilty in the National Safety Court. At the same time, he took issue with Salman’s claim that the elected chamber of Parliament is cosmetic, which seeks to denigrate the efforts and commitment of all those who campaign in elections for the right to serve their country in Parliament. He also supported the appointed Upper House of Parliament (the Shura Council) by pointing out that such appointments give a voice to community leaders who would not run for an elected office to contribute to the betterment of Bahrain. “Furthermore, our Arab Muslim culture has deep historic roots dating back to the early days of Islam in the practice of consultation through an appointed Shura,” he stated.
The official challenged Salman’s assertion that the recent bye-elections were not legitimate because of the low turnout and pointed out that the figure 17.4% only applied to 14 constituencies, while the overall sitting Parliament represents a 51% voter turnout.
The IAA official questioned how Al Wefaq Islamic Society claims to represent the majority of Bahrain citizens who are eligible to vote in the most recent elections when out of 240,000 potential voters, Al Wefaq Islamic Society had received 82,000 (i.e., representing approximately one third of the voter rosters).
The IAA spokesman asserted that an elected democratic government can take many forms as seen across the globe. Based on the outcomes of the National Dialogue, the Cabinet will now have to be ratified by the Parliament, which now will have enhanced power and scrutiny over the government. However, he reiterated that any form of democratic government in Bahrain has to suit the nature and character of Bahraini culture and heritage.