Comments on: Bahrain Appoints First Jewish Ambassador

By: Jews in Bahrain .. « Omanymous says

Jews in Bahrain .. « Omanymous says — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:33:07 +0000

[...] recently came across an article in mideast youth about a lady called Ms. Huda Azra Ibrahim Nunu who has been appointed as Kingdom’s ambassador [...]

By: lynne

lynne — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:40:21 +0000

I am pleased to see this choice which reflects the acceptance and tolerance of diversity within Bahrain. I agree with Esra that it should be seen as a positive step for all minorities in Bahrain.
Jina, I am from the US and I do agree with much of what you say. There is still much work to be done here in increasing tolerance. The average US citizen is absolutely dependent on the media for news and does not question what is reported an looks no further for information. I prefer to get my analysis from Stratfor, an independent think tank, and to read from excellent sources such as this one. I teach school, and not only are the students uninformed and misinformed, but so are most of the teachers. Education (in general) in the US—and perhaps elsewhere—is watered down and inadequate.
I will say that there are ongoing efforts in the schools to go beyond just acceptance of differences between groups to actually celebrating and respecting them. Acceptance is in itself a huge accomplishment because people can live in safety and a degree of comfort that is perhaps taken for granted here in the US at the present. Still, much needs to be done to improve.

By: Soufiene

Soufiene — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 11:01:28 +0000

The first Arab goverment who contained Jews state men was the Tunisian goverment of 1957. At that time two ministers and more than one deputy were Jews.
Those guys are Tunisian Nationalists, they participated to the fight against the French colonialism in Tunisia. And they were highly skilled and competent. That’s why they were shoosen and involved in the goverment.

By: Esra'a (Bahrain)

Esra'a (Bahrain) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 10:09:02 +0000

I agree entirely with anon. The idea that no person can represent a country because of their faith or status is the reason why many Arab and Muslim countries are backwards in the first place. This is a good step in empowering minorities in primarily Muslim countries. Diversity is beautiful.

By: anon

anon — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 05:31:17 +0000

Who cares if Bahrain is a muslim country. It is also an arab country which means that Ms. Nunu (as an arab) is perfectly qualified to best serve her fellow arab country men/women. YOur logic is ridiculous. And weren’t 2 muslims recently elected in the US. One was Keith Ellison, an AFrican american muslim. He was elected by a state with an overwhelming Christian and white majority. And there was another one as well, but I can’t remember the name. So basically, using your logic these 2 individuals should not have been elected or appointed. Because America is a country with a Christian (in name only or actually practicing) majority and these muslims by virtue of their religion cannot serve the interests of the American peoples. Ridiculous

The fact that you’re even complaining about a member of a religious minority being appointed in your country (because they cannot best serve the people) and than saying “XYZ countries don’t appoint religious minorities” makes no sense whatsoever

By: Jina

Jina — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 21:34:29 +0000

To say that americns only see things narrowly is false because we have access to so much media, internet, icluding al jazeera.

Hmm… majority in the US can’t even spot their own state or city on the map. Just because you have access doesn’t mean it is used. TV is filled with half naked chicks and corporations selling their products. Internet is filled with porn and games and trashy pop culture that has nothing to do with Adel’s comment. In the US media, if you critize the US government or US action, you are taken off air. A woman wears a scarf that resembles something everday Arab wear on an ad and the open minded Americans force the company to pull that ad because it somehow supports terrorism. Racism, bigotry and close mindedness in action.

We are multicultural in the extreme.

Hmmm… not really, majority are assimilated into a single collective. Having different skin colour and ethnicity doesn’t make a nation “multicultural” Practicing the culture makes a nation multicultural. But, US maybe the most multicultural country int he West, but hardly extreme compared with some other countries in the world. For a country like Bahrain with such small population, it is more multicultural than USofA.

By: limpia

limpia — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 20:10:40 +0000

She is of arab/jewish cultural background.
To say that americns only see things narrowly is false because we have access to so much media, internet, icluding al jazeera. We are multicultural in the extreme. Tell me about Bahrain?

By: Adel

Adel — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:44:47 +0000

i can’t c wut this got to do with going in the right direction!!!!! so each country now must appoint a jew to be going in the right direction??? yah i know some of you will say its someone from religious minorities, but this is the wrong person in the wrong position…ok let c if USA will do the same and appoint a muslim-american in the same position to any arabic country!!!!why its fine to show discrimination against muslims and not even allow them to be part of the goverment in US…most of you saw in the last few months during the presidential campaigns how ppl reacted againt obama or others if they had links with islamic communities, as if its a sickness!!!!!!!its funny how they always use the same term democracy and human rights to their best interest.
I respect the women and her long service to the country. I don’t have a problem with her religious. It’s just bahrain as a muslim country and with islamic heritage must appoint a person who best serve all this. Especially for USA where most ppl see things through their own media with narrow vision and not knowing about the out side world, it is important to put someone who will present the right perception about islam to the american communities and show that how good we are.

By: jewaira

jewaira — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 06:26:41 +0000

Let’s not be quick to put down baby steps towards reform.
I see this as a positive step

By: Eliesheva (Israel/USA)

Eliesheva (Israel/USA) — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 18:12:01 +0000

Nice to hear something positive today. Hoping that the people of Bahrain will come to accept this development and even embrace it…