Hard-line Sunni voice gains audience in Bahrain<\/p>\n
The Associated Press<\/p>\n
Friday, June 24, 2011 | 8:36 a.m.<\/p>\n
A visit by Bahrain’s king to Sunni supporters this week was also something of a royal blessing for a rising political star: an Islamic scholar who claims the Gulf kingdom is under threat from both foe Iran and ally America.<\/p>\n
Once consigned to the fringes, Sunni hard-liners like Abdullatif al-Mahmood are suddenly gaining a receptive audience amid a government crackdown on pro-democracy protesters.<\/p>\n
It’s another sign of Bahrain’s deeply polarized atmosphere as the kingdom’s Sunni rulers try to open talks with the Shiite opposition after violence that has left 31 people dead since February.<\/p>\n
Al-Mahmood’s group appears to be tapping into deep-rooted fears over Shiite giant Iran and growing questions about commitment from Washington, which bases the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet in Bahrain.<\/p>\n
“We won’t compromise on the safety of our nation,” al-Mahmood said during the Tuesday visit by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.<\/p>\n
It was a clear slap at Iran, who Bahrain’s leaders and Gulf Arab allies accuse of stirring the Shiite-led demonstrations in Bahrain. He also rejected calls by some U.S. officials to cut Bahrain’s special trade status following the clampdown on dissent.<\/p>\n
“Crises don’t scare us,” said the king as al-Mahmood stood nearby. …more<\/a><\/p>\n