Cairo - A Bahraini member of parliaments stressed the need for a practical role to be played by Bahraini women to confront extremism and develop the society during the coming period, warning of Iranian attempts to interfere in the internal affairs of their country by using the Shiite Bahrainis. What are the major obstacles you faced to gain a seat in the Bahraini Shura Council (A consultative council, is the upper house of a bicameral Parliament?) Bahraini men are open-minded and appreciate the achievements of women, viewing them as partners in the Bahraini society. Bahraini women face serious challenges, though some challenges are less than other challenges that other Arab women face in their own communities. When I worked as a lawyer, I found great receptivity from the society. I gained the confidence of men since the beginning of my career, as I managed to prove my efficiency. It was normal to face the challenges imposed by such a career, but I was able to overcome all of them in just 12 years. In 2007, I was elected and became the youngest head of the Bar Association throughout the Arab world. I found increasing support from my male colleagues who were enthusiastic to support me. My husband and family were also very supportive. I appreciate what my mother had done for me while I was studying law. I also managed to gain the confidence of the Bahraini king who appointed me as a member of the Shura Council where I was elected as the second deputy of the council. How do you assess your experience as female member of parliament and the rate of woman participation in the council? It is a wonderful experience. The council issued much legislation related to the different fields of life. We also seek to issue new laws aiming to protect the rights of children and women in the country. We aspire to develop a legislative life in our country, especially with the current harmony existing inside the Shura Council and its cooperation with the House of Representatives and the government. The Bahraini woman managed to gain her right as a voter and candidate. The representation of women in the council reached to 25% in the Shura Council. How do you assess your study in Bahrain, Iraq and Egypt? I was one of the top students. I preferred studying social studies, and was seeking a scholarship abroad to study Sociology. However, there was no availability at the time and I became frustrated. My mother accompanied me during registration and advised me to study law in Baghdad. Despite the difficult political situation witnessed in Iraq in 1988, my mother advised me to study law in Iraq, believing that the political conditions will change. I enrolled in Baghdad University, but encountered difficult challenges. Yet, I managed to overcome all of them. After two years of study in Baghdad, I then went to Cairo to complete my studies. I am proud to be a graduate from Cairo University, and Bahraini law is similar to its Egyptian counterpart. I began my career in law in the presence of a number of experienced Egyptian judges in the Bahraini courts. It makes me proud to be a student who learned from many Egyptian legal experts, including Dr. Fathy Sorour. What in your view are the challenges facing Arab women? A woman in Arab communities suffers from a large number of challenges, including social persecution. However, the man is not the only obstacle for a woman; a woman sometimes becomes her own obstacle and enemy. The Bahraini woman has managed to achieve a lot and has reached notable success in different fields, as she struggled to gain her rights. The Bahraini king has shown much interest and paid much attention to the struggle of women since his ascent to power, and has made women empowerment a priority. How do you assess the Iranian role in your country? Bahrain is considered one of the major countries targeted by Iran which works to undermine the regional security. Bahrain's community includes people from different religions and doctrines, and they live in tolerance and harmony. However, the Iranian government has been attempting to undermine the unity of the Bahraini government since the 1970s when the Bahraini people refused subordination to Tehran in a referendum. Iran used a number of Shiites to achieve its aspirations, including the establishment of a Persian empire. They attempt to use the Arab Shiites to achieve their ambitions. They have managed to polarize a number of Bahraini Shiites and used them to achieve its aspirations. Yet, increasing support from the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council has helped the Bahraini government overcome Iranian plans. Has Iran used the Arab Spring Revolutions, and if so, how? Yes, Iran used the Arab Spring revolutions to achieve its own interests at the expense of regional stability. They used the developments witnessed in the region during the Arab revolutions and polarized a number of Bahraini Shiites to carry out its agenda. The investigations conducted by the Iranian authorities proved Iranian involvement in a number of terrorist attacks witnessed in the country. The Iranian government provided training and money in addition to weapons to terrorists to target the country's security and stability in coordination with other countries and parties loyal to Tehran, including Iraq and Hezbollah. Bahrain is still targeted by a number of human rights organizations working to achieve suspicious objectives. Is there coordination between Egypt and Bahrain to confront terrorism? Egypt and Bahrain faced and still face increasing pressures and conspiracies, but they have managed to undermine them. Saudi Arabia also faced increasing threats and, it too, is able to contain terrorist threats. We aspire to see real partnership between the different countries to eliminate terrorism. There are attempts to link terrorism to Islam. How can we defend Islam? Islam has nothing to do with terrorism. Not all extremists are from Islamic origins, as we have extremists coming from the west. Terrorism has no religion or a country. It should not be linked to religion or specific ideas. In our Islamic communities, we should face extremist ideas by adopting a moderate religious discourse promoting the ideas of love, tolerance, peace and mercy. What is your message to Egypt and the world? I hope peace prevails throughout the Arab world and the world as a whole.
