Archives for September 2010
Elected Municipal Councils Could Foster Spirit of Civic Participation in the UAE
For many Emiratis, experiences with the current Federal National Council have been less than ideal. If asked to name a major achievement accomplished by any FNC member, few Emiratis would have anything positive to say. Read more »
انتخابات للمجالس البلدية
Our Common Bond Is Stronger Than the Extremist Rhetoric
In 2003, I was inundated with requests from friends to join an online social forum to attack an American blogger. He had written that Muslims were “pigs,” saying that the world “should kill their women and children.” Read more »
The Civil Society Movement in the Arab Gulf States
At first glance it seems as though the six Gulf Cooperation Council monarchies have no civil society movements to speak of, but scratching the surface unveils a complex layer of organisations that exist side by side with the governments and in some cases have been merged into governmental structures. In fact because of the relative young age of these states many of those who were active against the British presence in the Gulf prior to independence became themselves government officials and can be found in government circles until today. Read more »
عن أحوال المجتمع المدني في الخليج
In this important Arabic language article, Sultan discusses the realities facing civil society in the Gulf. Read more »