Activist to run in elections
by mahmood on 07/05/06 at 2:32 pm · email · print
Political activist and National Al Adala (Justice) Movement founder Abdulla Hashim has declared his intension to run for parliament in this year’s elections.
Mr Hashim said he and fellow movement member Isa Al Sayyar will be running for different constituencies in the Muharraq Governorate, but that neither will run under the name of the group.
The movement was declared in March but won’t apply for official status as a political society for several more months, said Mr Hashim.
“We are each running as individuals. Other members of our movement may also run, but it is too early to name any more at the moment,” he said.
Mr Hashim ran unsuccessfully in the 2002 elections.
He says the reason he didn’t win then was because he was one of very few opposition figures who did not boycott the election.
“This cost me a lot of support but this year things should be better with the other opposition leaders reversing their boycott,” he said.
“This shows that my position four years ago was the correct one and that little can be achieved by just standing on the sidelines.”
Mr Hashim said he would be campaigning under the same slogan he used in the last election – Social Justice and the Sovereignty of Law.
“The main themes of my campaign will be the promotion of further freedoms,” he said.
“This includes freedom of speech and to demonstrate as well as a stronger political societies laws.
“I also aim to give women stronger political, economic and social rights.”
Some have criticised Mr Hashim’s movement for not having a clear political message.
While it claims to be secular, the movement has gathered support from Salafi Islamists and other groups.
He also denied reports that his movement was seeking to ally itself politically with Al Menbar National Islamic Society.
Mr Hashim said he had meetings with members of the society, but it had nothing to do with the elections.
“We take a very liberal position by accepting very diverse views, unlike some other so-called liberal groups who take a very antagonistic stance towards the Islamists,” he said.
Mr Hashim said his movement was open to anyone who was willing to accept its goals above any other allegiances they may have.
GDN :: Tariq Khonji :: 7 May ’06
