http://news.kuwaittimes.net/2012/10/28/liberals-and-islamists-in-rare-alliance/
Liberals and Islamists in rare alliance KUWAIT: In Kuwait, clashes last week with anti-government protesters were more than just a sign tensions may be mounting. The crowds themselves showed the widening nature of the nation’s political crisis: Stirrings of a rare alliance of convenience between liberals and Islamists against Kuwait’s Western-backed leadership. While it’s not the first time Middle East protests have brought together political foes – Cairo’s Tahrir Square last year and Iran’s postelection unrest in 2009 had a full spectrum of voices – Kuwait’s tiny size means that the coalescence of such varied groups could make for an opposition that punches far above its own weight. Simultaneous pressure from liberals and Islamist conservatives could push Kuwait deeper into a political morass that has already disrupted the economy and raised questions about stability in one of Washington’s most critical military footholds in the region. “This is certainly not a revolution. It is a call for change and serious reform,” said Shafeeq Ghabra, political affairs professor at Kuwait University “There is an overlapping interest in Kuwait’s many political factions despite their differences. They want balance of power in the political game.” Islamists and their allies want power. They are pressing hard to reclaim their hold on the country’s legislature, which is the most politically empowered among the Gulf Arab states. Meanwhile, liberals are rallying around claims the rulers are overreaching. Many have strongly objected to the government’s hard-ball political efforts over the past months that included disbanding the opposition- controlled parliament. This has become the meeting point for the unusual joint onslaught – that could become the most broadbased challenge to Kuwait’s leadership since it was restored by the 1991 US-led invasion that drove out Saddam Hussein’s forces. “Today we unite together in fighting a bigger entity. The autocracy in Kuwait is stopping true democratic life. We must fight autocracy first,” said Lama Al-Othman, a human rights activist and liberal columnist for Aljarida newspaper. “As a liberal, my fight with the Islamist opposition is always ongoing,” she continued. “I refuse repression, I refuse it when it’s practiced by the opposition and I also refuse it when it’s practiced by the government.” At last Sunday’s protest rally, which drew thousands of people, fully veiled women marched alongside others wearing jeans and their hair in ponytails. Men in the traditional white robes of the Gulf chanted with college-age students in t-shirts. Riot police used tear gas and stun grenades against protesters who defied orders to limit the rally to a site in front of the parliament building. Dozens were reported injured or overcome by the gas clouds. The monarchy still has wide public support and many – even those currently siding with Islamists – would likely favor the ruling system if any serious attempts were made by Islamist conservatives to impose strict social rules such as curfews on women and sex-segregated universities. Othman, the rights activist, said the move pushed some liberals to join the Islamist-led protests. “It’s more important for me to fight a repressive government that refused to admit that the majority of the people have voted for Islamists,” she said. Fay Al-Qassar, a 25- year-old political science graduate who favors liberal causes, said she was angered by the crackdowns on last week’s protest marchers. “I realized we have to be more proactive if we want things to get better,” she said. Mohammed Al-Dallal, a member of Kuwait’s branch of the Muslim Brotherhood, claimed the Islamists do not seek to bring strict Muslim codes to Kuwait. But the now-disbanded parliament pushed for laws that demanded “modest” dress for women and sought to make Islamic law the exclusive source for all future legislation. “Our battle against autocratic rule can take years, but we will go with it,” he said. Some liberal political leaders, meanwhile, believe anyone who broke ranks to join the Islamists will live to regret the choice. “This is not a fight for liberty,” said Bassam Al-Asoussi, a member of Kuwait’s liberal faction the Democratic Forum. “In any revolution, three things should be present: demands for equality, liberty and justice. The opposition today is against these very things.” Eman Al-Bedah, another columnist for the Aljarida newspaper, said: “I don’t think that they will clamp down the freedoms of the people. I know so. I am certain.” — AP [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
